The world has become quite a scary place lately, especially for seniors. Every day brings a new story that leaves us feeling frustrated and confused.

You might recall the story of a 95-year-old great-grandmother being tasered by police at an aged care home in NSW. It's hard to put into words how disturbing and upsetting this news is.

Clare Nowland, a mother-of-eight with dementia, was walking with her frame whilst holding a steak knife at Yallambee Lodge in Cooma on May 17. During a confrontation with police, Nowland was tasered and tragically passed away a week later in hospital.

More concerning is the accusation against the NSW police force of a cover-up in their handling of the situation.

Clare Nowland died a week after being tasered by police while using a walking frame and holding a steak knife. Credit: Facebook/Older Women’s Network NSW.

It was reported recently that there seemed to be discrepancies between the initially drafted NSW Police Media Unit statement and the final 71-word statement signed off by Police Commissioner Karen Webb.

As per documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, the longer draft contained details about the paramedics, the knife, and the use of the taser. Why would the force leave out such critical information? It makes one wonder what else might have been omitted.

The draft statement explained that police were called to the scene at 4:15 am following reports of an aged care home resident wielding a knife. They found the woman in a small room, but she refused to cooperate with the police and paramedics.

The situation escalated when she stood up, at which point a constable deployed a taser. These details were mysteriously omitted from the final published statement.

Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter gave a press conference on May 19, providing further details about the incident. He stated that Nowland had a serrated steak knife and was moving slowly towards officers with her walking frame when she was tasered.

Police Commissioner Webb defended the omission of the taser in the initial statement, stating it was essential for the family to be informed first.

Former police minister Paul Toole accused the police of covering up the taser use and urged his successor to take action.

In a turn of events, Senior Constable Kristian White, 33, who fired the stun weapon, has since been suspended with pay and charged with three offences, including recklessly causing grievous bodily harm. White is set to appear in court on July 5.

This controversial case has sparked calls for better independent police oversight and prompted Federal Aged Care Minister Anika Wells to mention Nowland's case as an example of the need to better understand and support people living with dementia.

Key Takeaways

• NSW Police is accused of a cover-up after documents revealed mentions of paramedics, a knife, and a Taser were removed in their first statement about their fatal stunning of a 95-year-old great-grandmother.
• Clare Nowland was tasered during a confrontation with police while walking with a frame and holding a steak knife at the Yallambee Lodge in Cooma on May 17. She died a week later in hospital.
• A draft prepared by the NSW Police Media Unit outlined how police responded and mentioned the use of the taser, but the published statement omitted these details.
• Nowland's death sparked calls for better independent police oversight and the release of the police body camera footage. The officer who fired the stun has been suspended with pay and charged with three offences.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Clare Rowland’s family.

We at the Seniors Discount Club will continue to provide you with the latest updates on this matter.

Members, we value your input, so we'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this story. Do you believe there's truth to the claims that the police attempted to conceal that the grandmother was tasered? Share your thoughts in the comments section!

 

[Suzanne rose]

This story from the beginning didn't make sense, a little elderly lady who weighed only 45 kg and walked with a walking frame being tazzered REALLY .

Yes definitely a cover up and they know there would be community uproar if it all came out.

This is on the same lines as the black lives matter campaign.

Elderly lives do Matter.

I hope the family get their answers so they can then have closure

 

[POG]

The world has become quite a scary place lately, especially for seniors. Every day brings a new story that leaves us feeling frustrated and confused.

You might recall the story of a 95-year-old great-grandmother being tasered by police at an aged care home in NSW. It's hard to put into words how disturbing and upsetting this news is.

Clare Nowland, a mother-of-eight with dementia, was walking with her frame whilst holding a steak knife at Yallambee Lodge in Cooma on May 17. During a confrontation with police, Nowland was tasered and tragically passed away a week later in hospital.

More concerning is the accusation against the NSW police force of a cover-up in their handling of the situation.

View attachment 23066

Clare Nowland died a week after being tasered by police while using a walking frame and holding a steak knife. Credit: Facebook/Older Women’s Network NSW.

It was reported recently that there seemed to be discrepancies between the initially drafted NSW Police Media Unit statement and the final 71-word statement signed off by Police Commissioner Karen Webb.

As per documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, the longer draft contained details about the paramedics, the knife, and the use of the taser. Why would the force leave out such critical information? It makes one wonder what else might have been omitted.

The draft statement explained that police were called to the scene at 4:15 am following reports of an aged care home resident wielding a knife. They found the woman in a small room, but she refused to cooperate with the police and paramedics.

The situation escalated when she stood up, at which point a constable deployed a taser. These details were mysteriously omitted from the final published statement.

Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter gave a press conference on May 19, providing further details about the incident. He stated that Nowland had a serrated steak knife and was moving slowly towards officers with her walking frame when she was tasered.

Police Commissioner Webb defended the omission of the taser in the initial statement, stating it was essential for the family to be informed first.

Former police minister Paul Toole accused the police of covering up the taser use and urged his successor to take action.

In a turn of events, Senior Constable Kristian White, 33, who fired the stun weapon, has since been suspended with pay and charged with three offences, including recklessly causing grievous bodily harm. White is set to appear in court on July 5.

This controversial case has sparked calls for better independent police oversight and prompted Federal Aged Care Minister Anika Wells to mention Nowland's case as an example of the need to better understand and support people living with dementia.

Key Takeaways

• NSW Police is accused of a cover-up after documents revealed mentions of paramedics, a knife, and a Taser were removed in their first statement about their fatal stunning of a 95-year-old great-grandmother.
• Clare Nowland was tasered during a confrontation with police while walking with a frame and holding a steak knife at the Yallambee Lodge in Cooma on May 17. She died a week later in hospital.
• A draft prepared by the NSW Police Media Unit outlined how police responded and mentioned the use of the taser, but the published statement omitted these details.
• Nowland's death sparked calls for better independent police oversight and the release of the police body camera footage. The officer who fired the stun has been suspended with pay and charged with three offences.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Clare Rowland’s family.

We at the Seniors Discount Club will continue to provide you with the latest updates on this matter.

Members, we value your input, so we'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this story. Do you believe there's truth to the claims that the police attempted to conceal that the grandmother was tasered? Share your thoughts in the comments section!

The way the Police handled this incident was appalling and disgusting. It showed a gross lack of training. This should never have happened. Criminal charges have to be laid against the Police Officer in question. He may as well used an assault rifle on the sick old woman. Do they recruit morons in the Police Force? A 15-year-old would have been able to take the knife out of her hand. Prerequisites to join the Force in NSW: stupidity and gutlessness.

 

[Pink lion]

I have been a Martial Arts minded personality since 1970 and its hard to fathom the mindset of why would police deploy a taser on a 95 year's old woman with a walking frame?
It is a personally recognized fact that a cloth held in two hands can most definitely be used in safety, for a trained person to remove a knife threat, and a blanket could be thrown over her or push over the walker etc, anything but doing that to 95 years old people.

Cowboys NO BRAINS

 

[Migjohn]

Where did Clare get a serated steak knife? Why wasnt all cutlery locked away? As a nurse I feel sick to think a 90yer plus lady using a walking frame, 45kgs, carry a knife, surrounded by staff, paramedics, Police, couldnt have been distracted to remove the knife. Taser should never be used on older Adults like this situation. RIP Clare..

 

[Geronimo 2022]

The world has become quite a scary place lately, especially for seniors. Every day brings a new story that leaves us feeling frustrated and confused.

You might recall the story of a 95-year-old great-grandmother being tasered by police at an aged care home in NSW. It's hard to put into words how disturbing and upsetting this news is.

Clare Nowland, a mother-of-eight with dementia, was walking with her frame whilst holding a steak knife at Yallambee Lodge in Cooma on May 17. During a confrontation with police, Nowland was tasered and tragically passed away a week later in hospital.

More concerning is the accusation against the NSW police force of a cover-up in their handling of the situation.

View attachment 23066

Clare Nowland died a week after being tasered by police while using a walking frame and holding a steak knife. Credit: Facebook/Older Women’s Network NSW.

It was reported recently that there seemed to be discrepancies between the initially drafted NSW Police Media Unit statement and the final 71-word statement signed off by Police Commissioner Karen Webb.

As per documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, the longer draft contained details about the paramedics, the knife, and the use of the taser. Why would the force leave out such critical information? It makes one wonder what else might have been omitted.

The draft statement explained that police were called to the scene at 4:15 am following reports of an aged care home resident wielding a knife. They found the woman in a small room, but she refused to cooperate with the police and paramedics.

The situation escalated when she stood up, at which point a constable deployed a taser. These details were mysteriously omitted from the final published statement.

Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter gave a press conference on May 19, providing further details about the incident. He stated that Nowland had a serrated steak knife and was moving slowly towards officers with her walking frame when she was tasered.

Police Commissioner Webb defended the omission of the taser in the initial statement, stating it was essential for the family to be informed first.

Former police minister Paul Toole accused the police of covering up the taser use and urged his successor to take action.

In a turn of events, Senior Constable Kristian White, 33, who fired the stun weapon, has since been suspended with pay and charged with three offences, including recklessly causing grievous bodily harm. White is set to appear in court on July 5.

This controversial case has sparked calls for better independent police oversight and prompted Federal Aged Care Minister Anika Wells to mention Nowland's case as an example of the need to better understand and support people living with dementia.

Key Takeaways

• NSW Police is accused of a cover-up after documents revealed mentions of paramedics, a knife, and a Taser were removed in their first statement about their fatal stunning of a 95-year-old great-grandmother.
• Clare Nowland was tasered during a confrontation with police while walking with a frame and holding a steak knife at the Yallambee Lodge in Cooma on May 17. She died a week later in hospital.
• A draft prepared by the NSW Police Media Unit outlined how police responded and mentioned the use of the taser, but the published statement omitted these details.
• Nowland's death sparked calls for better independent police oversight and the release of the police body camera footage. The officer who fired the stun has been suspended with pay and charged with three offences.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Clare Rowland’s family.

We at the Seniors Discount Club will continue to provide you with the latest updates on this matter.

Members, we value your input, so we'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this story. Do you believe there's truth to the claims that the police attempted to conceal that the grandmother was tasered? Share your thoughts in the comments section!

Oh for heaven’s sake! Big bad cop, tiny little lady! Either just leave her until she drops the knife or go behind her and give her a hug and sh will drop it. Distract her with a toy or food. Really a full grown man, probably wearing a stab vest, just gently take it away from her. Coward cop and worse, a nursing home unable to handle their patients and keeping them away from sharp objects! End vent!

 

[MiasMum]

All that the staff on duty had to do was turn off the lights in the room until the dear old lady became disoriented.

 

[Colette 3799]

It should never have got to the stage where police were called. The retirement home needs to take responsibility for how their staff reacted and maybe change their protocols. A steak knife is not a machete, no one was in danger of harm. All she needed was a calm environment and a caring person to talk to her. She would have been terrified having police there yelling at her. And as for the policeman - I have no words.

 

[Frida1944]

There is something seriously wrong with our police force if a young fit man cannot disarm a 45 kg 95 year old woman on a walker. The result - he's suspended WITH PAY, so no doubt there will be no repercussions, and will probably be swept under the carpet. This is so wrong on all levels, and had an absolutely abhorrent outcome. Disgusting behaviour by the policeman involved.

 

[Tootie]

Why are the Police being made scapegoats in this? The nursing home are at fault for not having the knife locked away. It was they who called the Police in this instance. Surely they should have procedures in place for the staff to deal with residents who have dementia, in whatever situation! I have witnessed violent dementia patients, and believe me, the staff were able to deal with them without involving law enforcement!

 

[Vinylted]

It should never have got to the stage where police were called. The retirement home needs to take responsibility for how their staff reacted and maybe change their protocols. A steak knife is not a machete, no one was in danger of harm. All she needed was a calm environment and a caring person to talk to her. She would have been terrified having police there yelling at her. And as for the policeman - I have no words.

Worse, it was a policewoman! Surely they have more empathy, at 35 she was 60 years younger and frightened into using a taser. OMG!

 

[Pink lion]

Worse, it was a policewoman! Surely they have more empathy, at 35 she was 60 years younger and frightened into using a taser. OMG!

NO EXCUSE. a large angry person or anyone posing a threat to themselves or others, but a 95-year-old grandmother (RiP) in a walker?
The AMERICAN COMMEDIANS are going to LOVE this one.

Maybe they should have courses in the police academy specifically aimed at teaching officers to defend against such terrors.

 

[MiasMum]

Worse, it was a policewoman! Surely they have more empathy, at 35 she was 60 years younger and frightened into using a taser. OMG!

I'm sorry, but where did you see that it was a woman? All of the news items have said that Kristian was male...just an unusual spelling of his name.

 

[Gsr]

I’m sure this incident is only one in a long list of cover ups that the police put out. Unfortunately our police force has to deal with more and more serious incidents every day, a lot of them life threatening. This was not one of them, this lady posed no threat to anyone. A huge over reaction on the behalf of everyone involved, from the nursing home staff to the police officer who fired the taser against all training and guidelines he should have known. I believe it takes a special person to be a police officer and this person is not one of them, sounds like he is the sort who gives a bad reputation to our police force.

 

[Pink lion]

I’m sure this incident is only one in a long list of cover ups that the police put out. Unfortunately our police force has to deal with more and more serious incidents every day, a lot of them life threatening. This was not one of them, this lady posed no threat to anyone. A huge over reaction on the behalf of everyone involved, from the nursing home staff to the police officer who fired the taser against all training and guidelines he should have known. I believe it takes a special person to be a police officer and this person is not one of them, sounds like he is the sort who gives a bad reputation to our police force.

THE VAST MAJORITY of our police force are out their night and day, doing their best absolutely. Many of us have stories of cowboys in uniform, full of themselves and not much appreciation for others, who have knowingly disrespected citizens, but they are thankfully very few and far between.

This incident is however ridiculous, because through a serious lack of awareness, a 95-year-old woman in a walker, has lost her life. And people are rightly upset about such poor reasoning from a person trained and experienced enough, to know better.

 

[GOM1983]

The world has become quite a scary place lately, especially for seniors. Every day brings a new story that leaves us feeling frustrated and confused.

You might recall the story of a 95-year-old great-grandmother being tasered by police at an aged care home in NSW. It's hard to put into words how disturbing and upsetting this news is.

Clare Nowland, a mother-of-eight with dementia, was walking with her frame whilst holding a steak knife at Yallambee Lodge in Cooma on May 17. During a confrontation with police, Nowland was tasered and tragically passed away a week later in hospital.

More concerning is the accusation against the NSW police force of a cover-up in their handling of the situation.

View attachment 23066

Clare Nowland died a week after being tasered by police while using a walking frame and holding a steak knife. Credit: Facebook/Older Women’s Network NSW.

It was reported recently that there seemed to be discrepancies between the initially drafted NSW Police Media Unit statement and the final 71-word statement signed off by Police Commissioner Karen Webb.

As per documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, the longer draft contained details about the paramedics, the knife, and the use of the taser. Why would the force leave out such critical information? It makes one wonder what else might have been omitted.

The draft statement explained that police were called to the scene at 4:15 am following reports of an aged care home resident wielding a knife. They found the woman in a small room, but she refused to cooperate with the police and paramedics.

The situation escalated when she stood up, at which point a constable deployed a taser. These details were mysteriously omitted from the final published statement.

Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter gave a press conference on May 19, providing further details about the incident. He stated that Nowland had a serrated steak knife and was moving slowly towards officers with her walking frame when she was tasered.

Police Commissioner Webb defended the omission of the taser in the initial statement, stating it was essential for the family to be informed first.

Former police minister Paul Toole accused the police of covering up the taser use and urged his successor to take action.

In a turn of events, Senior Constable Kristian White, 33, who fired the stun weapon, has since been suspended with pay and charged with three offences, including recklessly causing grievous bodily harm. White is set to appear in court on July 5.

This controversial case has sparked calls for better independent police oversight and prompted Federal Aged Care Minister Anika Wells to mention Nowland's case as an example of the need to better understand and support people living with dementia.

Key Takeaways

• NSW Police is accused of a cover-up after documents revealed mentions of paramedics, a knife, and a Taser were removed in their first statement about their fatal stunning of a 95-year-old great-grandmother.
• Clare Nowland was tasered during a confrontation with police while walking with a frame and holding a steak knife at the Yallambee Lodge in Cooma on May 17. She died a week later in hospital.
• A draft prepared by the NSW Police Media Unit outlined how police responded and mentioned the use of the taser, but the published statement omitted these details.
• Nowland's death sparked calls for better independent police oversight and the release of the police body camera footage. The officer who fired the stun has been suspended with pay and charged with three offences.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Clare Rowland’s family.

We at the Seniors Discount Club will continue to provide you with the latest updates on this matter.

Members, we value your input, so we'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this story. Do you believe there's truth to the claims that the police attempted to conceal that the grandmother was tasered? Share your thoughts in the comments section!

No comment re alleged cover-up, as I do not have enough information. However, I would comment that police need much more training in dealing with persons who have disabilities and have more empathy and compassion. I personally know of another situation where a poor woman with 2 disabilities, and was also incontinent, who was confronted by police on the footpath. She kept saying that she needed to go to the toilet, but they would not listen, so eventually she wet herself, and the evidence was running down her legs. To add insult to injury, her dignity was further taken from her as she was charged with an indecent act in a public place. So not only does she have to deal with her disabilities (24/7!!), but she now has to deal with the so-called Justice System for something over which she had no control. I know it must be difficult for police to deal with all manner of people and situations, but seriously??

 

[Ezzy]

A shameful situation as members have stated using different wording.

The question which came mind was:- Don't Police Officers carry a baton any more, even if this is kept in a vehicle for situations like this? This could be an extendable type, similar to an umbrella.
A 45cm (or whatever) baton against a 15cm knife. A light tap on the frail lady's hand would have easily dislodged the knife.

I was trying to imagine how she could hold on to her walker with two hands, walk & wave the knife at the same time! Isn't this an impossibility???

 

[Pink lion]

Good point!
I loved the comment a member posted about just turn the light off, such a very simple answer.
If they were politicians present, after a lengthy enquiry and numerous meetings inside expensive restaurants, they probably may have thrown a couple of million dollars at the problem, as its their go too response for everything.

Not so silly, as it could cause her walker to be immobilized, and she could have slipped and fallen safely.

All jokes aside, I hope this situation (RIP) never happens again.