Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we aim to not only pass on amazing discounts and deals to our members, but we also want to keep you informed on current events and news relevant to our community.

And recently, the tasering of a 95-year-old grandmother with dementia by a police officer in a New South Wales nursing home has grabbed not only national headlines but has also drawn international attention.

Let’s dive into the growing controversy surrounding this shocking incident and what it might mean for the future of aged care and policing in Australia.

The incident occurred at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma, where Clare Nowland, a frail mother of eight who was using a walking frame, was tasered by a police officer after allegedly approaching officers while holding a knife and failing to drop it.

Clare, who weighs only 43 kg, was critically injured during the incident and is now receiving end-of-life care in Cooma District Hospital.

The incident was met with public outcry. Credit: Magda Ehlers/Pexels

This news was met with outrage online, which subsequently led to Sunrise hosts David Koch and Natalie Barr grilling NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb on the matter.

One aspect that has particularly drawn their disapproval was the commissioner’s refusal to watch the body-worn footage of the incident. Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter agreed that this act was ‘confronting’.

‘I don’t really intend to. I’ve heard what’s in the body [cam], and I don’t see it necessary that I actually view it,’ she said previously.

But in response, Commissioner Webb maintained that she wanted to allow the detectives to conduct their investigation without her interference.

She stated, 'If at a point in time, I become a decision-maker about the employment of the officer or the investigation, then I will look at the evidence as a complete picture, not just one part of it.'

According to the police commissioner, if she interferes with the investigation, it might compromise the case. Credit: Nermin Aliyeva/Pexels

Commissioner Webb added that any interference on her part might prejudice the outcome of the case, and she admitted that Mrs Nowland and her family ‘deserve better than that’.

‘It’s a shocking matter, and I’ve never seen anything like it. But I need to let the detectives and specialists do their job,’ she said before claiming that ‘the community has every right to know exactly what’s happened’.

While Commissioner Webb continues to receive daily briefings on the investigation, Kochie questioned her about the level of threat the 95-year-old grandmother could have been, considering she was on a walker and weighed merely 43 kg.

However, the commissioner refrained from providing further details, instead reiterating that the understanding of the events is still incomplete.

As the case unfolds, an investigation led by the Homicide Squad and the Professional Standards Committee of NSW Police, supervised by the independent Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC), has been launched.

Commissioner Webb stated that detectives had collected witness testimonies and were now in the process of seeking expert opinion on the use of the weapon.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that the officer involved, a 33-year-old senior constable with 12 years of service, has been suspended from duty with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

Commissioner Webb revealed that the decision on whether he should be charged after the incident would come after an investigation had taken place.

In the meantime, this distressing incident has prompted advocates and members of the public to call for reforms in police training and healthcare.

Commissioner Webb herself admitted that the role of a police officer is becoming increasingly complex, and they're expected to be experts in dealing with a wide range of situations. Especially in cases where police need to be called to facilities that deal with dementia patients, for which they may not have adequate training.

‘The role of a police officer is growing wider and wider, and we’re expected to know everything about everything, and we’re not experts on everything,’ Commissioner Webb stated.

Nat then inquired about what a nursing home should do if a patient is brandishing a knife, to which the police commissioner said these cases were a ‘question of training’.

‘What training do they have to deal with those situations? Dealing with anyone with dementia is difficult ... it’s a last resort that they call the police,’ she explained.

This issue of inadequate training extends to nursing home staff as well, as highlighted by Dementia Support Australia's Steve Macfarlane. He called for more training for aged care workers, stating that staff should be able to de-escalate such situations themselves and not resort to calling the police.

‘Aged care staff really need to have the skills to de-escalate these sorts of situations themselves,’ he claimed.

As it currently stands, there is no mandatory training required for aged care workers in dealing with dementia patients in Australia.

You can watch a snippet of the interview below:

​

Key Takeaways

• A 95-year-old grandmother with dementia was tasered by a police officer at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma after allegedly failing to drop a steak knife.
• NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has been criticised for her refusal to watch the video of the incident, stating she is allowing detectives and specialists to do their job without her interfering in the investigation.
• The police officer involved, a 33-year-old senior constable, has been suspended from duty with pay, and an investigation is being led by the homicide squad, the Professional Standards Committee of NSW Police, and the independent Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
• The incident has sparked calls for police training and healthcare reform and has raised questions about the training and weapons used by aged care workers. There is currently no mandatory training required for aged care workers on dealing with dementia patients.

We at Seniors Discount Club will continue to keep you updated on this story. Stay informed, and be sure to share your thoughts on these pressing issues with us in the comments below.

Do you think there needs to be more of an emphasis on training and education when dealing with people who are living with dementia? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

 

[Knell]

I don't know the facts in this case, but I do know that some dementia patients can become aggressive and violent. It is not quite black and white and not the same for every patient. When my father was admitted to a dementia ward I witnessed some aggressive patients. They argued constantly - he stole my pjs, he stole my dentures, etc. I decided to take Dad home with my family to be cared for. He also had cancer and in his 80s. The kindest, gentlest person who never even raised his voice. He did not know who I was apart from a few minutes from time to time. One day he turned aggressive towards me and could well have hurt me, a few minutes later he was in tears, with such regret and sadness in his eyes, even though he could not communicate it, it was clear he knew what he did and it was heartbreaking to see him realise that this is not him anymore. I called the doctor who said that perhaps one of the medications he was on could cause or make worse aggressive behaviour, so he changed it. This was only a couple of weeks before his end of life due to the cancer and I say with much love, his torture was over. He was thin and frail however while in the aggressive state he was agile and very capable of strength beyond what he should have been in his condition. He could run off up the driveway with great speed and determination. Just saying it is a very emotional condition for everyone but also a very complex condition and not easily managed by anyone - health professionals or loved ones. The staff clearly could not manage the situation for whatever reason, the paramedics were there apparently and unable to manage, however the buck seemed to stop with the police. A very hard, very sad situation. Maybe we should not condemn too quickly even though it appears dreadful from what we know at this time. I remain hopeful that it was a last resort and considered the safest option in the circumstances.

 

[Ju6l0ie]

Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we aim to not only pass on amazing discounts and deals to our members, but we also want to keep you informed on current events and news relevant to our community.

And recently, the tasering of a 95-year-old grandmother with dementia by a police officer in a New South Wales nursing home has grabbed not only national headlines but has also drawn international attention.

Let’s dive into the growing controversy surrounding this shocking incident and what it might mean for the future of aged care and policing in Australia.

The incident occurred at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma, where Clare Nowland, a frail mother of eight who was using a walking frame, was tasered by a police officer after allegedly approaching officers while holding a knife and failing to drop it.

Clare, who weighs only 43 kg, was critically injured during the incident and is now receiving end-of-life care in Cooma District Hospital.

View attachment 20512

The incident was met with public outcry. Credit: Magda Ehlers/Pexels

This news was met with outrage online, which subsequently led to Sunrise hosts David Koch and Natalie Barr grilling NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb on the matter.

One aspect that has particularly drawn their disapproval was the commissioner’s refusal to watch the body-worn footage of the incident. Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter agreed that this act was ‘confronting’.

‘I don’t really intend to. I’ve heard what’s in the body [cam], and I don’t see it necessary that I actually view it,’ she said previously.

But in response, Commissioner Webb maintained that she wanted to allow the detectives to conduct their investigation without her interference.

She stated, 'If at a point in time, I become a decision-maker about the employment of the officer or the investigation, then I will look at the evidence as a complete picture, not just one part of it.'

View attachment 20513

According to the police commissioner, if she interferes with the investigation, it might compromise the case. Credit: Nermin Aliyeva/Pexels

Commissioner Webb added that any interference on her part might prejudice the outcome of the case, and she admitted that Mrs Nowland and her family ‘deserve better than that’.

‘It’s a shocking matter, and I’ve never seen anything like it. But I need to let the detectives and specialists do their job,’ she said before claiming that ‘the community has every right to know exactly what’s happened’.

While Commissioner Webb continues to receive daily briefings on the investigation, Kochie questioned her about the level of threat the 95-year-old grandmother could have been, considering she was on a walker and weighed merely 43 kg.

However, the commissioner refrained from providing further details, instead reiterating that the understanding of the events is still incomplete.

As the case unfolds, an investigation led by the Homicide Squad and the Professional Standards Committee of NSW Police, supervised by the independent Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC), has been launched.

Commissioner Webb stated that detectives had collected witness testimonies and were now in the process of seeking expert opinion on the use of the weapon.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that the officer involved, a 33-year-old senior constable with 12 years of service, has been suspended from duty with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

Commissioner Webb revealed that the decision on whether he should be charged after the incident would come after an investigation had taken place.

In the meantime, this distressing incident has prompted advocates and members of the public to call for reforms in police training and healthcare.

Commissioner Webb herself admitted that the role of a police officer is becoming increasingly complex, and they're expected to be experts in dealing with a wide range of situations. Especially in cases where police need to be called to facilities that deal with dementia patients, for which they may not have adequate training.

‘The role of a police officer is growing wider and wider, and we’re expected to know everything about everything, and we’re not experts on everything,’ Commissioner Webb stated.

Nat then inquired about what a nursing home should do if a patient is brandishing a knife, to which the police commissioner said these cases were a ‘question of training’.

‘What training do they have to deal with those situations? Dealing with anyone with dementia is difficult ... it’s a last resort that they call the police,’ she explained.

This issue of inadequate training extends to nursing home staff as well, as highlighted by Dementia Support Australia's Steve Macfarlane. He called for more training for aged care workers, stating that staff should be able to de-escalate such situations themselves and not resort to calling the police.

‘Aged care staff really need to have the skills to de-escalate these sorts of situations themselves,’ he claimed.

As it currently stands, there is no mandatory training required for aged care workers in dealing with dementia patients in Australia.

You can watch a snippet of the interview below:

​

Key Takeaways

• A 95-year-old grandmother with dementia was tasered by a police officer at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma after allegedly failing to drop a steak knife.
• NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has been criticised for her refusal to watch the video of the incident, stating she is allowing detectives and specialists to do their job without her interfering in the investigation.
• The police officer involved, a 33-year-old senior constable, has been suspended from duty with pay, and an investigation is being led by the homicide squad, the Professional Standards Committee of NSW Police, and the independent Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
• The incident has sparked calls for police training and healthcare reform and has raised questions about the training and weapons used by aged care workers. There is currently no mandatory training required for aged care workers on dealing with dementia patients.

We at Seniors Discount Club will continue to keep you updated on this story. Stay informed, and be sure to share your thoughts on these pressing issues with us in the comments below.

Do you think there needs to be more of an emphasis on training and education when dealing with people who are living with dementia? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Yes, I don't think police are trained to deal with dementia or any form of mental illness
They have a lot to answer for
Also the police commissioner should step down in my opinion
Our elderly need to be looked after and protected in their final years not be scared and tasered
I think the nursing home who called the police are also responsible
Shame on them all
RIP Clare Nowland

 

[Col@45]

Everyone has been complaining about the police...2 questions for you
1.How did she get her hands on a knife ( dementia patients aren't normally allowed metal cutlery).
2 .Why didn't the 'trained ' staff defuse the situation...it's their job . Them call police would have added to her confusion and distress .

So who failed on their duty of care?

I agree, we're always quick to blame the police, but in this case the matter should have been dealt with by the staff. The big question....HOW DID SHE GET HOLD OF A KNIFE?

 

[sim140]

It was a disgusting act and the police officer should be sacked.

Tasered first....

 

[Nelbert]

Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we aim to not only pass on amazing discounts and deals to our members, but we also want to keep you informed on current events and news relevant to our community.

And recently, the tasering of a 95-year-old grandmother with dementia by a police officer in a New South Wales nursing home has grabbed not only national headlines but has also drawn international attention.

Let’s dive into the growing controversy surrounding this shocking incident and what it might mean for the future of aged care and policing in Australia.

The incident occurred at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma, where Clare Nowland, a frail mother of eight who was using a walking frame, was tasered by a police officer after allegedly approaching officers while holding a knife and failing to drop it.

Clare, who weighs only 43 kg, was critically injured during the incident and is now receiving end-of-life care in Cooma District Hospital.

View attachment 20512

The incident was met with public outcry. Credit: Magda Ehlers/Pexels

This news was met with outrage online, which subsequently led to Sunrise hosts David Koch and Natalie Barr grilling NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb on the matter.

One aspect that has particularly drawn their disapproval was the commissioner’s refusal to watch the body-worn footage of the incident. Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter agreed that this act was ‘confronting’.

‘I don’t really intend to. I’ve heard what’s in the body [cam], and I don’t see it necessary that I actually view it,’ she said previously.

But in response, Commissioner Webb maintained that she wanted to allow the detectives to conduct their investigation without her interference.

She stated, 'If at a point in time, I become a decision-maker about the employment of the officer or the investigation, then I will look at the evidence as a complete picture, not just one part of it.'

View attachment 20513

According to the police commissioner, if she interferes with the investigation, it might compromise the case. Credit: Nermin Aliyeva/Pexels

Commissioner Webb added that any interference on her part might prejudice the outcome of the case, and she admitted that Mrs Nowland and her family ‘deserve better than that’.

‘It’s a shocking matter, and I’ve never seen anything like it. But I need to let the detectives and specialists do their job,’ she said before claiming that ‘the community has every right to know exactly what’s happened’.

While Commissioner Webb continues to receive daily briefings on the investigation, Kochie questioned her about the level of threat the 95-year-old grandmother could have been, considering she was on a walker and weighed merely 43 kg.

However, the commissioner refrained from providing further details, instead reiterating that the understanding of the events is still incomplete.

As the case unfolds, an investigation led by the Homicide Squad and the Professional Standards Committee of NSW Police, supervised by the independent Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC), has been launched.

Commissioner Webb stated that detectives had collected witness testimonies and were now in the process of seeking expert opinion on the use of the weapon.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that the officer involved, a 33-year-old senior constable with 12 years of service, has been suspended from duty with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

Commissioner Webb revealed that the decision on whether he should be charged after the incident would come after an investigation had taken place.

In the meantime, this distressing incident has prompted advocates and members of the public to call for reforms in police training and healthcare.

Commissioner Webb herself admitted that the role of a police officer is becoming increasingly complex, and they're expected to be experts in dealing with a wide range of situations. Especially in cases where police need to be called to facilities that deal with dementia patients, for which they may not have adequate training.

‘The role of a police officer is growing wider and wider, and we’re expected to know everything about everything, and we’re not experts on everything,’ Commissioner Webb stated.

Nat then inquired about what a nursing home should do if a patient is brandishing a knife, to which the police commissioner said these cases were a ‘question of training’.

‘What training do they have to deal with those situations? Dealing with anyone with dementia is difficult ... it’s a last resort that they call the police,’ she explained.

This issue of inadequate training extends to nursing home staff as well, as highlighted by Dementia Support Australia's Steve Macfarlane. He called for more training for aged care workers, stating that staff should be able to de-escalate such situations themselves and not resort to calling the police.

‘Aged care staff really need to have the skills to de-escalate these sorts of situations themselves,’ he claimed.

As it currently stands, there is no mandatory training required for aged care workers in dealing with dementia patients in Australia.

You can watch a snippet of the interview below:

​

Key Takeaways

• A 95-year-old grandmother with dementia was tasered by a police officer at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma after allegedly failing to drop a steak knife.
• NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has been criticised for her refusal to watch the video of the incident, stating she is allowing detectives and specialists to do their job without her interfering in the investigation.
• The police officer involved, a 33-year-old senior constable, has been suspended from duty with pay, and an investigation is being led by the homicide squad, the Professional Standards Committee of NSW Police, and the independent Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
• The incident has sparked calls for police training and healthcare reform and has raised questions about the training and weapons used by aged care workers. There is currently no mandatory training required for aged care workers on dealing with dementia patients.

We at Seniors Discount Club will continue to keep you updated on this story. Stay informed, and be sure to share your thoughts on these pressing issues with us in the comments below.

Do you think there needs to be more of an emphasis on training and education when dealing with people who are living with dementia? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

As an RN for 40 years, I don't think watching the footage is going to change the outcome, and it is probably quite distressing to see. I am saddened to think that the aged care facility actually called the police and didn't know how to de escalate the situation themselves. So what needs to happen is that aged care industry needs to be properly trained as a lot of their residents would have dementia, and if the police are required, they also need proper training in dealing with dementia. She had a knife - was she hungry ??, can be many different reasons, she also had a walker. A simple 10ml syringe filled with water and squirted at her face could have been enough distraction to make her drop the knife and a staff member kick the knife away. Where is the security at the facility and the staff that could not communicate effectively. Sadly now this well loved lady has had lost her battle. My heart felt condolences to the family and friends.

 

[Bid]

Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we aim to not only pass on amazing discounts and deals to our members, but we also want to keep you informed on current events and news relevant to our community.

And recently, the tasering of a 95-year-old grandmother with dementia by a police officer in a New South Wales nursing home has grabbed not only national headlines but has also drawn international attention.

Let’s dive into the growing controversy surrounding this shocking incident and what it might mean for the future of aged care and policing in Australia.

The incident occurred at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma, where Clare Nowland, a frail mother of eight who was using a walking frame, was tasered by a police officer after allegedly approaching officers while holding a knife and failing to drop it.

Clare, who weighs only 43 kg, was critically injured during the incident and is now receiving end-of-life care in Cooma District Hospital.

View attachment 20512

The incident was met with public outcry. Credit: Magda Ehlers/Pexels

This news was met with outrage online, which subsequently led to Sunrise hosts David Koch and Natalie Barr grilling NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb on the matter.

One aspect that has particularly drawn their disapproval was the commissioner’s refusal to watch the body-worn footage of the incident. Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter agreed that this act was ‘confronting’.

‘I don’t really intend to. I’ve heard what’s in the body [cam], and I don’t see it necessary that I actually view it,’ she said previously.

But in response, Commissioner Webb maintained that she wanted to allow the detectives to conduct their investigation without her interference.

She stated, 'If at a point in time, I become a decision-maker about the employment of the officer or the investigation, then I will look at the evidence as a complete picture, not just one part of it.'

View attachment 20513

According to the police commissioner, if she interferes with the investigation, it might compromise the case. Credit: Nermin Aliyeva/Pexels

Commissioner Webb added that any interference on her part might prejudice the outcome of the case, and she admitted that Mrs Nowland and her family ‘deserve better than that’.

‘It’s a shocking matter, and I’ve never seen anything like it. But I need to let the detectives and specialists do their job,’ she said before claiming that ‘the community has every right to know exactly what’s happened’.

While Commissioner Webb continues to receive daily briefings on the investigation, Kochie questioned her about the level of threat the 95-year-old grandmother could have been, considering she was on a walker and weighed merely 43 kg.

However, the commissioner refrained from providing further details, instead reiterating that the understanding of the events is still incomplete.

As the case unfolds, an investigation led by the Homicide Squad and the Professional Standards Committee of NSW Police, supervised by the independent Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC), has been launched.

Commissioner Webb stated that detectives had collected witness testimonies and were now in the process of seeking expert opinion on the use of the weapon.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that the officer involved, a 33-year-old senior constable with 12 years of service, has been suspended from duty with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

Commissioner Webb revealed that the decision on whether he should be charged after the incident would come after an investigation had taken place.

In the meantime, this distressing incident has prompted advocates and members of the public to call for reforms in police training and healthcare.

Commissioner Webb herself admitted that the role of a police officer is becoming increasingly complex, and they're expected to be experts in dealing with a wide range of situations. Especially in cases where police need to be called to facilities that deal with dementia patients, for which they may not have adequate training.

‘The role of a police officer is growing wider and wider, and we’re expected to know everything about everything, and we’re not experts on everything,’ Commissioner Webb stated.

Nat then inquired about what a nursing home should do if a patient is brandishing a knife, to which the police commissioner said these cases were a ‘question of training’.

‘What training do they have to deal with those situations? Dealing with anyone with dementia is difficult ... it’s a last resort that they call the police,’ she explained.

This issue of inadequate training extends to nursing home staff as well, as highlighted by Dementia Support Australia's Steve Macfarlane. He called for more training for aged care workers, stating that staff should be able to de-escalate such situations themselves and not resort to calling the police.

‘Aged care staff really need to have the skills to de-escalate these sorts of situations themselves,’ he claimed.

As it currently stands, there is no mandatory training required for aged care workers in dealing with dementia patients in Australia.

You can watch a snippet of the interview below:

​

Key Takeaways

• A 95-year-old grandmother with dementia was tasered by a police officer at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma after allegedly failing to drop a steak knife.
• NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has been criticised for her refusal to watch the video of the incident, stating she is allowing detectives and specialists to do their job without her interfering in the investigation.
• The police officer involved, a 33-year-old senior constable, has been suspended from duty with pay, and an investigation is being led by the homicide squad, the Professional Standards Committee of NSW Police, and the independent Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
• The incident has sparked calls for police training and healthcare reform and has raised questions about the training and weapons used by aged care workers. There is currently no mandatory training required for aged care workers on dealing with dementia patients.

We at Seniors Discount Club will continue to keep you updated on this story. Stay informed, and be sure to share your thoughts on these pressing issues with us in the comments below.

Do you think there needs to be more of an emphasis on training and education when dealing with people who are living with dementia? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Without taking sides - who gives the right to any coommercial talk back/morning program to "grill" anyone. Question them - yes - but hav some respect. Start asking intelligent questions - how in the hell did the 95yr old get a steak knife at 4 am in the first place - why couldn't the staff throw a blanket over her - how dangerous was it for them to feel the need to call the police in the first place - has anyone asked those questions or answered them - instead we go to the end and the top and "grill" someone. Tril by media - why let the truth get in the way of a good story. Let the investigation take its course SDadly the elderly lady died overnight and I grieve for her family - they have remained silent - maybe its time for the press/media to do the same

 

[fm62]

Time for manslaughter charges. She has passed away poor thing, and the officer needs to pay for his outrageous decision to taser a 95 year old woman in a walking frame.

 

[fm62]

Everyone has been complaining about the police...2 questions for you
1.How did she get her hands on a knife ( dementia patients aren't normally allowed metal cutlery).
2 .Why didn't the 'trained ' staff defuse the situation...it's their job . Them call police would have added to her confusion and distress .

So who failed on their duty of care?

Agree they all did

 

[Toyo]

Need to have a rethink about what kind of staff are employed in this dementia unit, they should have been able to diffuse the situation and take the knife eventually. I think all is not well in this particular nursing home, I feel very sorry for the family who just wanted her cared for and for the other patients in this facility. The policeman who tasered her should be sacked he doesn't have any skills to deal with the public, perhaps he should be on garbage truck duty where he doesn't need to deal with people.

 

[Kelpie]

Here at the Seniors Discount Club, we aim to not only pass on amazing discounts and deals to our members, but we also want to keep you informed on current events and news relevant to our community.

And recently, the tasering of a 95-year-old grandmother with dementia by a police officer in a New South Wales nursing home has grabbed not only national headlines but has also drawn international attention.

Let’s dive into the growing controversy surrounding this shocking incident and what it might mean for the future of aged care and policing in Australia.

The incident occurred at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma, where Clare Nowland, a frail mother of eight who was using a walking frame, was tasered by a police officer after allegedly approaching officers while holding a knife and failing to drop it.

Clare, who weighs only 43 kg, was critically injured during the incident and is now receiving end-of-life care in Cooma District Hospital.

View attachment 20512

The incident was met with public outcry. Credit: Magda Ehlers/Pexels

This news was met with outrage online, which subsequently led to Sunrise hosts David Koch and Natalie Barr grilling NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb on the matter.

One aspect that has particularly drawn their disapproval was the commissioner’s refusal to watch the body-worn footage of the incident. Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter agreed that this act was ‘confronting’.

‘I don’t really intend to. I’ve heard what’s in the body [cam], and I don’t see it necessary that I actually view it,’ she said previously.

But in response, Commissioner Webb maintained that she wanted to allow the detectives to conduct their investigation without her interference.

She stated, 'If at a point in time, I become a decision-maker about the employment of the officer or the investigation, then I will look at the evidence as a complete picture, not just one part of it.'

View attachment 20513

According to the police commissioner, if she interferes with the investigation, it might compromise the case. Credit: Nermin Aliyeva/Pexels

Commissioner Webb added that any interference on her part might prejudice the outcome of the case, and she admitted that Mrs Nowland and her family ‘deserve better than that’.

‘It’s a shocking matter, and I’ve never seen anything like it. But I need to let the detectives and specialists do their job,’ she said before claiming that ‘the community has every right to know exactly what’s happened’.

While Commissioner Webb continues to receive daily briefings on the investigation, Kochie questioned her about the level of threat the 95-year-old grandmother could have been, considering she was on a walker and weighed merely 43 kg.

However, the commissioner refrained from providing further details, instead reiterating that the understanding of the events is still incomplete.

As the case unfolds, an investigation led by the Homicide Squad and the Professional Standards Committee of NSW Police, supervised by the independent Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC), has been launched.

Commissioner Webb stated that detectives had collected witness testimonies and were now in the process of seeking expert opinion on the use of the weapon.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that the officer involved, a 33-year-old senior constable with 12 years of service, has been suspended from duty with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

Commissioner Webb revealed that the decision on whether he should be charged after the incident would come after an investigation had taken place.

In the meantime, this distressing incident has prompted advocates and members of the public to call for reforms in police training and healthcare.

Commissioner Webb herself admitted that the role of a police officer is becoming increasingly complex, and they're expected to be experts in dealing with a wide range of situations. Especially in cases where police need to be called to facilities that deal with dementia patients, for which they may not have adequate training.

‘The role of a police officer is growing wider and wider, and we’re expected to know everything about everything, and we’re not experts on everything,’ Commissioner Webb stated.

Nat then inquired about what a nursing home should do if a patient is brandishing a knife, to which the police commissioner said these cases were a ‘question of training’.

‘What training do they have to deal with those situations? Dealing with anyone with dementia is difficult ... it’s a last resort that they call the police,’ she explained.

This issue of inadequate training extends to nursing home staff as well, as highlighted by Dementia Support Australia's Steve Macfarlane. He called for more training for aged care workers, stating that staff should be able to de-escalate such situations themselves and not resort to calling the police.

‘Aged care staff really need to have the skills to de-escalate these sorts of situations themselves,’ he claimed.

As it currently stands, there is no mandatory training required for aged care workers in dealing with dementia patients in Australia.

You can watch a snippet of the interview below:

​

Key Takeaways

• A 95-year-old grandmother with dementia was tasered by a police officer at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma after allegedly failing to drop a steak knife.
• NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has been criticised for her refusal to watch the video of the incident, stating she is allowing detectives and specialists to do their job without her interfering in the investigation.
• The police officer involved, a 33-year-old senior constable, has been suspended from duty with pay, and an investigation is being led by the homicide squad, the Professional Standards Committee of NSW Police, and the independent Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
• The incident has sparked calls for police training and healthcare reform and has raised questions about the training and weapons used by aged care workers. There is currently no mandatory training required for aged care workers on dealing with dementia patients.

We at Seniors Discount Club will continue to keep you updated on this story. Stay informed, and be sure to share your thoughts on these pressing issues with us in the comments below.

Do you think there needs to be more of an emphasis on training and education when dealing with people who are living with dementia? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Well, let's put it simply in this way. The poor woman has now died and it appears that the Police Officer has now been charged.
What will come out of this we are probably going to find out/ And with that I mean PROBABLY.

 

[Kelpie]

Having spent a fair chunk of my nursing career in both Aged Care and Disability settings,, the first failure here was her being able to access the knife. Second was the staff not being able to de-escalate the situation and calling the police in. Third was the apparent automatic reaction to the presence of 'a weapon' on the part of the police rather than an actual assessment of the risk posed.

Just my opinion, but the Commissioner is being derelict in her duty by not watching the footage. How can she possibly claim to be fully informed of how the situation unfolded without doing so? My cynical side says that it will be easier for her to claim the officer acted appropriately if she hasn't seen it.

Yes, 100% correct.

 

[pork]

Everyone has been complaining about the police...2 questions for you
1.How did she get her hands on a knife ( dementia patients aren't normally allowed metal cutlery).
2 .Why didn't the 'trained ' staff defuse the situation...it's their job . Them call police would have added to her confusion and distress .

So who failed on their duty of care?

There would be so many factors leading to this incident that it is not appropriate to focus on and criticize police behavior alone. An aggressive elderly person with dementia holding a knife sounds alarming. Let's look at staff training and their knowledge of dementia and how to manage such patients first of all, then the adequacy of staffing numbers, and the situation that led to this incident. We do not have enough detail here. The aged care facility itself may be inadequate regarding patient management, safety of staff and other patients when extreme patient behaviors manifest. Police are trained to guarantee peoples' safety and it looks like the've tried to do that.

 

[Vet543]

This is a total ABUSE of Police Powers... TWO POLICE OFFICERS couldn't disarm a 95 yr old dementia female? .. ANY male of a youthful age could disarm her before she knew what was happening AND NOT HARMED HER... maybe grab her hand and hold her without harming her.
TWO BIG BULLY COPS unable to do the job? Sack them NOW..the commissioner has that power.
These men are trained in unarmed combat... IF NOT ... I don't want the idiots prot6ecting me in any manner.
Two Police Officers single-handedly held down George Floyd (46yr old) a black fully grown active MALE and with one knee choked him to death. 4 Police Officers were SACKED for their part in this stupidity.
Seems to me that this cop or these cops are skimpy cowards.
IF THIS ACT is considered to be a mental problem .. then get them OUT of the force now.
We call these men HEROES? Bull, they are .. they can't even ..Aww!! S**t this is making me so bloody wild ... I feel like finding the twits and giving them some of their idiotic bullying back to them.

 

[Marian M]

Whether the Nursing Home should or should not have rung the police is relevant to any investigation but entirely irrelevant in determining the appropriateness of the actions of the police once they were called - expecting Assistant Commissioner Cotter to front the media and justify what, on the face of it, were unjustifiable actions by the police responders says a lot about the Commissioner's wish not to become involved - is she really going to rely on the report by the investigators without actually seeing the video? - and it is even more telling that the Commissioner spoke to the family but at no time spoke to the officer involved - it seems to mirror the Lindt Cafe fiasco where senior police (including the then Commissioner) couldn't distance themselves fast enough from what transpired - we are not, it would appear, ever going to see the video of the tasering as we have never seen the internal police report (ironically prepared by Assistant Commissioner Cotter) of the Lindt Cafe debacle

Well said.

 

[Vet543]

Clare Nowland has past away.
The action of the the police NOW has esculated to comtemplated murder OR, at the least, manslaughter of an Australian Citizen.

My condolences to her Family .. May she rest in peace.

I am sure that all decent Australians will be with me in offering the family our love in this terrible time.

 

[DrChip]

The core of the issue is the nursing home is not equipped with sufferably trained staff to deal with the many 'abusive' acts of those residents with any form of dementia. The government needs to really do something about working quickly to implement proper training and decent pay to attract those who want to work in the essential and specialised industry, but won't because of the conditions and expectations of management for a pittance. It is not a smart decision to only rely on employing newcomers to the country who may not find another job, so shoved into these positions with only basic training most are not anywhere equipped or want to deal with the elderly. We are all on the path to older age and not all are sufficiently financially able in a position to sell a home and pay over half a million dollars upwards to secure a room or a bed in a 'nursing facility'.
News just in the policeman who tasered the elderly lady on her walking frame is being charged with 3 serious charges. Details to be released.

You can say the same for the police, they can not be trained in everything that they are confronted with, neither had any idea what to do with that poor old woman, they just did what they always do when confronted with an armed assailant, if you could call her that.....

 

[Knell]

Consider the other residents - if I woke up to someone brandishing a knife near me while I was in bed at 4.30 in the morning, I would be terrified, whether they were 9 or 99. I don't know if this was the only violent episode - if not, why was this poor lady not in a secure room so that other residents and staff were not in any danger? It doesn't make sense to me that police would be called for a non threatening situation and I certainly cannot understand why the taser would be used if it was that simple to disarm her. I can't get my head around the theory that the police officer is just a bully and a murderer - I could be wrong to have hesitation to leap to that conclusion but I just find it such a horrible thought that I cannot comprehend the scenario.

 

[Kelpie]

There would be so many factors leading to this incident that it is not appropriate to focus on and criticize police behavior alone. An aggressive elderly person with dementia holding a knife sounds alarming. Let's look at staff training and their knowledge of dementia and how to manage such patients first of all, then the adequacy of staffing numbers, and the situation that led to this incident. We do not have enough detail here. The aged care facility itself may be inadequate regarding patient management, safety of staff and other patients when extreme patient behaviors manifest. Police are trained to guarantee peoples' safety and it looks like the've tried to do that.

You would have to be kidding right.?

 

[Kelpie]

Consider the other residents - if I woke up to someone brandishing a knife near me while I was in bed at 4.30 in the morning, I would be terrified, whether they were 9 or 99. I don't know if this was the only violent episode - if not, why was this poor lady not in a secure room so that other residents and staff were not in any danger? It doesn't make sense to me that police would be called for a non threatening situation and I certainly cannot understand why the taser would be used if it was that simple to disarm her. I can't get my head around the theory that the police officer is just a bully and a murderer - I could be wrong to have hesitation to leap to that conclusion but I just find it such a horrible thought that I cannot comprehend the scenario.

The point is that, if we are to take notice of what is circulating around, this Police Officer has been reprimanded in the past for abusive power.
Why then was he sent to to such a situation.?
A big and strong man like he is, if he can't take control of that situation with a woman as small and as frailed as she was, he should be shown the door of the Police force.
As for the Police Commissioner, I do not agree at all with her stance. Not to get involved with the feeble excuse that somene else is looking into the meatter, is very poor indeed and the Premier should step in.
But we are talking about bureaucrats here....are we not.??

 

[Knell]

Because the rules of LAW apply. Everyone has the right to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a Court of Law. There are other laws involved - like defamation. No-one is talking because it would/could prejudice the legal process that is underway. What do you actually want the Commissioner or the Premier to say or do at this stage - arrange a public stoning? If the laws were broken, then there will be consequences.