Two South Australian police officers resigned after tasering and pepper-spraying an elderly man at a healthcare facility, in an eerie echo of the tragic death of great-grandmother Clare Nowland
- Officers stopped because of tasering
- A man in his 60s has minor injuries
- READ MORE: Officer on trial
Two police officers are being investigated for criminal misconduct after they tasered and pepper-sprayed a man while arresting him at a healthcare facility.
The incident happened when police were called to South Australia’s Southern District Center on October 26.
There was a report of an altercation between police and a man in his 60s.
While attempting to arrest the man, officers used a Taser and OC spray, causing minor injuries to the man.
A complaint about the officers’ conduct was lodged with the Public Integrity Bureau that day and SA Police were informed of the complaint on Monday.
Two South Australian police officers have been suspended for tasing and capsicum spraying a man in his 60s at a retirement home
After reviewing the footage from the officers’ body-worn cameras, a criminal and disciplinary investigation was launched.
The two officers have been relieved of their duties while the investigation takes place.
In May, great-grandmother Clare Nowland suffered a fatal brain injury after she was allegedly tasered by NSW police.
Senior Constable Kristian James Samuel White was charged over the incident in which he was called to Yallambee Lodge Nursing Home in Cooma on May 17 after reports the 95-year-old was holding a knife.
Police allege he asked Ms Nowland to give up the knife several times before saying “go ahead” and firing his stun gun at the dementia patient, who was using a walker.
The 33-year-old officer has been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault for alleged “excessive use of force.” His case is before the judge.
Mr White remains on bail in the local community, where he is banned from associating with any of Ms Nowland’s eight children, 24 grandchildren or 30 great-grandchildren.
Clare Nowland, a 95-year-old great-grandmother, died after a NSW police officer allegedly tasered her in May
The extended Nowland family reviewed the police allegations against Mr White earlier this year and described his alleged actions as ‘extremely confrontational and shocking’.
According to the documents, the senior officer was called to Yallambee Nursing Home in the early hours of May 17 after Ms Nowland entered other residents’ rooms.