Top cop defends not watching vision of 95-year-old being tasered
NSW’s police commissioner says she hasn’t viewed bodycam vision of a 95-year-old woman being tasered by an officer inside an aged care home as she doesn’t want to see it “without context” while an inquiry is ongoing.
Clare Nowland died in hospital after fracturing her skull when a police officer tasered her. Photo: AAP Image/Supplied
Clare Nowland, who has dementia, was using a walking frame when she was hit with a police Taser at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma on Wednesday, after allegedly failing to drop a steak knife.
The mother of eight is now receiving end-of-life care in Cooma District Hospital after falling and hitting her head after being tasered.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the officer’s body-worn camera would form part of the critical incident investigation report, but she does not plan on watching the footage before all other statements and evidence were collated.
“It may be the case in the future where I have to make a determination based on a brief of evidence, without being tainted by having seen a part of the brief without context,” Webb said on Monday.
“It’s important that we follow a process. I will make my determination impartially.”
Webb says it’s important to view the footage “in the context of all the other statements and evidence”.
Part of the evidence will involve transcripts of interviews and an expert review in the context of the use of Tasers and police procedures and training.
“That’s just going to take time (and) I’m not going to interfere in that process … it would be inappropriate for me to push in and interfere in that process,” she said.
[solstice_jwplayer mediaid=”h8xCNN97″ /]
NSW Premier Chris Minns described the incident as troubling but maintained he had confidence in the investigation and supported the commissioner’s decision to view the footage in context.
“She didn’t say that she would never watch it, but she wanted to do it in context and I think that’s an important part of the process,” he said.
Webb expects a report from experts on Taser use in the next couple of weeks.
“I want answers like everyone else does,” she said.
“I’m … a daughter of someone with dementia and in aged care and I think it’s hugely concerning, but I need to be objective.”
Webb previously told reporters police would not make the footage public, adding it was protected under the Surveillance Act.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey refused on Sunday to back calls for the probe to be released to the public once complete, saying the investigation was being overseen by the NSW Police watchdog, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
-with AAP
