An Australian police chief has revealed that she won’t watch the video that shows a 95-year-old woman with dementia being tasered by police until all of the evidence is put into context.
Clare Nowland, who walks using a frame, was hit with the taser at Yallambee Lodge, an elderly people’s care home in Cooma, on Wednesday.
The mother of eight had reportedly failed to put down a steak knife.
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After she was tasered, she fell down and was badly injured.
Now, she is receiving end-of-life care at Cooma District Hospital, surrounded by her family.
The whole incident was captured on the body-worn camera of the officers involved, which will now be used in an investigation.
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New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb said that she does not plan to watch the footage back before all of the statements and other evidence are reviewed.
Speaking to Sydney’s Radio 2GB on Monday, Webb said: “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.
“It’s important that we follow a process.
“I will make my determination impartially.”
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She went on to explain how it is important that the footage is viewed ‘in the context of all the other statements and evidence’.
The investigation will review other evidence, including interviews, an expert review of tasers and taser training of officers, as well as the footage from the camera.
Webb continued: “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.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns said that while the incident was troubling, he supported Webb’s view that she should watch the footage within the full context of all the evidence.
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Webb continued: “I want answers like everyone else does."
She added that she is ‘a daughter of someone with dementia and in aged care and I think it’s hugely concerning, but I need to be objective'.
The footage will not be made public – Webb has confirmed – as it is protected under the Surveillance Act.
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NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has refused to endorse calls for the investigation to be made public when it is finished, stating that the probe is in the hands of the NSW Police watchdog, as well as the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
Tom Wood