The New York Times (NYT) stated that an inquiry is being conducted into the use of a Taser on a 95-year-old lady by an experienced Australian officer.
The senior policeman used the firearm at a care home where Clare Nowland, a 5-foot-2, 95-pound lady with dementia, lived, leaving her in a serious condition.
The event has reportedly led to outcry from community members, rights activists, and disability advocates who are questioning the need of the officer's use of force, according to the NYT story.
At a press conference on Friday, Peter Cotter, the assistant commissioner of the New South Wales Police, discussed the situation. He conceded that Nowland was moving slowly when she approached the cops. He said, “She had a walking frame, but she also carried a knife.”
According to Cotter, authorities were alerted to a call at the Yallambee Lodge elderly care home in Cooma, New South Wales, after claims of a person brandishing a knife. They discovered Nowland carrying a steak knife that she had earlier that day taken from the kitchen.
Cotter claims that attempts to reason with Nowland for a number of minutes failed to get her to give up the knife. One of the policemen brandished the Taser as she approached the group of officers waiting at the room's entryway.
The whole “confronting” encounter, as Cotter described it, was caught on body camera tape.
The New South Wales Police has opened an inquiry and suspended the 12-year veteran officer in issue until they do more research. Cotter omitted saying whether or not the officer may be charged.
Due of the seriousness of Nowland's injuries, which might possibly be deadly, the inquiry is categorized as “Level One,” the highest level, and will include the murder squad.
In earlier police comments, it was simply reported that an elderly lady had been hurt during a police encounter at the nursing home.
According to New South Wales police policies, “Conducted Electrical Weapons,” popularly known as Tasers, should not be used on elderly or handicapped people “unless exceptional circumstances exist.”
According to local news outlets, Nowland is known in her town as a devoted volunteer at a nearby charity.
When she skydived to celebrate turning 80, she previously attracted media notice.
