November 15th 2024.
During the early hours of May 17, 2023, Senior Constable Kristian White found himself in a difficult situation at Yallambee Lodge aged-care home in Cooma, a town in southern NSW. He was faced with an elderly woman, Clare Nowland, who was exhibiting symptoms of dementia and was holding a knife. In a split-second decision, he fired his stun gun at her, causing her to fall and hit her head. Unfortunately, she passed away a week later in the hospital.
White is now facing a trial in the NSW Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to manslaughter. In court today, NSW Police operational safety instructor, William Watt, explained that officers are trained to see a subject armed with a knife as a significant threat. He further elaborated that in close proximity, knives can be just as deadly as guns and can be used quickly and repeatedly. This aligns with the general belief that using a Taser against someone armed with a knife is considered an appropriate option.
However, Watt also clarified that this does not mean that every situation involving a knife automatically warrants the use of a Taser or gun. Police officers are expected to evaluate the circumstances and choose the appropriate tactical option based on the specific situation. The ultimate goal is to gain control over the subject, but this can be more difficult in cases where the individual is suffering from dementia and may not be able to communicate or negotiate effectively.
During the trial, a senior officer, Sergeant Garrett Dawson, recounted a conversation he had with White after the incident. White had expressed his concern, stating that he was aware that Tasering an elderly person was not the preferred method of handling a situation, but he felt it was necessary in this case. This decision may have been influenced by the confusion caused by the elderly woman's dementia.
Watt also mentioned that one option available to police in such situations is to physically remove the knife from the subject. However, this action can come with a high degree of risk. As a result, one of the main principles of policing is to use appropriate force based on the circumstances and to only use the minimum amount of force necessary to perform their duties.
The trial will continue on Monday, and it is a reminder of the difficult decisions that police officers must make in their line of work. It is also a reminder of the importance of proper training and the need to constantly evaluate and reassess tactics to ensure the safety of both officers and the public. Stay informed on this and other breaking news stories by downloading the 9NEWS app, available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
