Coroner’s Inquest Concludes into Death of 95-Year-Old Tasered by NSW Police
"I didn't think the use of a Taser was proportionate to the magnitude of the incident … it seemed excessive."
— Intensive care paramedic Anna Hofner, testifying at the inquest
The coronial inquest into the death of 95-year-old Clare Nowland has concluded in Queanbeyan Coroners Court. Ms Nowland died in May 2023 after being tasered by a NSW Police officer at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma. The three-day inquest examined the emergency response to dementia-related behavior, training for first responders, and use-of-force procedures.
Incident Details
On May 17, 2023, police were called to the aged care facility after Ms Nowland, a resident with dementia, was reported wandering and entering other residents' rooms. She was found holding a steak knife against her walker and refused to drop it.
Former senior constable Kristian James Samuel White deployed his taser less than three minutes after arriving, stating "nah, bugger it." Ms Nowland fell and struck her head. She weighed just 47.5 kilograms. She died one week later from an inoperable brain bleed.
Legal Proceedings
In November 2024, a jury found White guilty of manslaughter. He was sentenced to a two-year community correction order with 425 hours of community service.
Justice Ian Harrison noted the offense was at the lower end of objective seriousness, not premeditated, and that White showed remorse.
The Crown appeal against the sentence was dismissed by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal. White was removed from the NSW Police Force in December 2024 and subsequently dropped a bid to regain his position. He did not attend the inquest.
Inquest Testimony
Intensive care paramedic Anna Hofner, who was present at the scene, testified that she felt "absolute shock and disbelief" when the taser was deployed. She stated the use of force "seemed excessive."
Hofner suggested a "pause point" for discussion among first responders could have been valuable, given Ms Nowland's mobility issues. She also apologized to the Nowland family, stating she was "really sorry for everything that happened that day."
Senior Constable Jessica Pank, also present, testified that drawing a taser was usual practice in situations involving a knife, but she was surprised White fired. She stated she felt safe and believed there was time for discussion. When asked if the deployment was justified, she replied: "No."
Counsel assisting Sophie Callan SC noted an alternative approach: closing the door to Ms Nowland's room and monitoring her through a window. This was not done.
Training and Systemic Issues
The inquest examined systemic issues relating to dementia care and training for aged care staff, police, and ambulance officers.
As of 2023, neither NSW Police nor NSW Ambulance officers had specific training for responding to incidents involving people with dementia. NSW Ambulance graduates received only 15 to 30 minutes of dementia training focused on differentiating between dementia, delirium, and depression.
Counsel Assisting Callan noted that one in four people over 80 have dementia, and the number of people with dementia in Australia is expected to more than double in the next 20 years, placing increased demand on first responders.
Both agencies have made changes since Ms Nowland's death. NSW Ambulance introduced mandatory training for paramedics involving a dementia patient in a nursing home wielding a spatula. In 2024, ambulance officers received specific training on responding to dementia patients.
Family Statement and Purpose of Inquest
On the final day of the inquest, Ms Nowland's daughter Jenny Jordan made a statement expressing the family's grief and stating the officer involved showed no remorse.
Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan thanked the family and reiterated the inquest's goal of preventing similar incidents. Counsel Assisting clarified that the inquest would not determine guilt or liability but would examine:
- Why police were called
- The emergency response to dementia-related behavior
- Alternatives to taser use
- Use-of-force procedures and training for dementia-related aggression
Participants
The inquest included testimony from police officers, ambulance representatives, dementia advocacy groups, experts in dementia training, and representatives from:
- The Nowland family
- Snowy Monaro Regional Council
- The aged care provider
The coroner's findings are expected later this year.