Arabic version: العائلة تسعى للتغيير بعد التحقيق في وفاة كلير نولاند
The family of 95-year-old Clare Nowland, who died after being tasered by police, is hopeful that an upcoming inquest will lead to significant changes in police training and policy. According to ABC News, Mick Nowland, Clare’s eldest son, is determined to ensure that no other family experiences a similar tragedy.
Clare Nowland was a resident at the Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma, New South Wales, when she was tasered by Senior Constable Kristian White in May 2023. Nowland was holding a steak knife against her walker when police arrived. After being tasered, she fell and suffered a fatal brain injury. White was convicted of manslaughter but did not serve jail time, a decision that has left her family questioning accountability within the police force.
Mick Nowland has expressed his concerns about the training police officers receive regarding taser use, particularly in situations involving vulnerable individuals like his mother. He believes that the current guidelines, which state that elderly individuals should not be tasered except in exceptional circumstances, are not being adequately enforced. He has called for a ban on tasers in aged care facilities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the inquest into Clare Nowland’s death approaches, her family remains focused on advocating for better police training and policies around taser use. They hope the inquest will lead to meaningful changes that prioritize the safety of elderly and vulnerable individuals. The three-day hearing is set to examine the training of police and emergency services, as well as aged-care staff in handling situations involving dementia patients.
Mick Nowland reflects on the legacy of his mother, who was known for her caring nature and dedication to her family. He hopes that the inquest will honor her memory by addressing critical issues in police training and preventing future tragedies. “It should never, ever have happened,” he stated, emphasizing the need for improvement in how police approach vulnerable individuals.
