NSW Labor is copping heat for voting down calls to release the body-worn footage of police involved in Tasering 95-year-old great grandmother Clare Nowland.
Mrs Nowland tragically died in hospital about 7pm on Wednesday night, just hours after the cop involved in the incident was charged with grievous bodily harm.
Senior Constable Kristian White, 33, tasered Mrs Nowland at her aged care home in Cooma about 4am last Wednesday.
She was clutching a kitchen knife and her walking frame at the time of the incident, weighed just 43kg and was suffering with dementia.
The Opposition on Wednesday demanded police release the body-worn footage of the incident to ensure transparency.
Damien Tudehope, a Liberal MP, said: ‘It is not good enough for the police say ‘I can take and release body cam footage in circumstances where I can make arrests all over the place.’ But when it does not suit them, that is when the cover-up starts.
‘That is when we lose confidence in the transparency of the operation of this system.’
Mrs Nowland (pictured) died in Cooma District Hospital, in southern NSW, after she was Tasered by an officer a week earlier
Rod Roberts, a member of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation and former police officer of 20 years, told the NSW Legislative Council on Wednesday the incident ‘is not a law and order issue’
But Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty shut down the motion, arguing there should be ‘no political interference’ in allowing ‘the investigation into the actions of the officer involved proceed’.
‘The critical incident investigation is being led by some of the State’s best investigators in the homicide squad. We need to let the investigation run its course.’
She described the actions of those opposite as ‘despicable’ examples of ‘playing politics’.
Her immediate move to rebuff the Opposition prompted chaos in the chamber and accusations of a ‘cover up’.
The Greens largely supported the push for footage to be released, but wanted to amend the requirement that it be published immediately.
Instead, they argue it should be released ‘as soon as possible’.
NSW Police Senior Constable Kristian White (pictured) has been suspended with pay
Speaking for the Greens, Sue Higginson noted police appear to have no qualms about releasing footage when it concerns ‘an alleged drug dealer, bikie or organised crime figure’ and, as such, should be confident in releasing footage of one of their own.
Mr Tudehope said: ‘Every day that the footage is not released is another day when people will ask, ”What is being covered up?”.’
Despite international outrage over the incident, Commissioner Karen Webb has refused to view bodycam footage of Mrs Nowland being Tasered.
She also declined to release the footage to the public, saying it ‘concerns’ her that people want to see it.
The police boss said she may have to review the video ‘as a decision-maker in this organisation… (but) I don’t see any value in reviewing that footage now when I don’t know… what else happened pre and post that incident.’
When she was asked again on Wednesday night why she will not release the footage of Mrs Nowland being Tasered, she replied ‘I’m not the investigator’.
Amid growing outrage – a Change.org petition calling for the video to be released has amassed more than 16,000 signatures.
Comments the policeman made prior to the Taser being fired are understood to be at the centre of the investigation.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb (pictured) said her ‘thoughts and prayers are with Mrs Nowland and her family this evening’
A Taser is to only be used by officers as the second last resort, the last resort being a gun.
Rod Roberts, a member of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation and former police officer of 20 years, told the NSW Legislative Council on Wednesday the incident ‘is not a law and order issue’.
‘What are police doing inside a nursing home at 4.00 am? Whilst putting the spotlight on the police – and rightly so – the spotlight should also be on this nursing home.’
But he resisted calls from the Opposition to brand the decision not to release footage a ‘cover up’.
‘The NSW Police Force has owned this incident,’ he said. ‘It knows it has made a mistake.
‘Cover‑up? What cover‑up? We know they are at fault. Releasing this video will do nothing other than cause distress for the family.’
He urged politicians to ‘imagine if images of their own mother, grandmother or great grandmother were plastered all over the voyeuristic joy of the Leader of the Opposition’.
Senior Constable Kristian White (pictured left) has been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault
‘Releasing the video will take it nowhere. Imagine the other residents of that nursing home in Cooma watching what has happened to poor Clare. This takes the matter nowhere. It does not need to be ventilated in public.’
The senior constable at the centre of the tragedy is reportedly 188cm tall and weighs about 140kg, more than three times the size of Mrs Nowland who weighs 43kg and is 157cm tall (five foot two inches).
The blast caused Mrs Nowland to fall and hit her head, leaving her with a bleed on the brain.
She tragically died on Wednesday night – one week after the incident – after receiving end of life care.
NSW Police issued a statement saying ‘it is with great sadness we confirm the passing of 95-year-old Clare Nowland in Cooma tonight.
‘Mrs Nowland passed away peacefully in hospital just after 7pm… surrounded by family and loved ones who have requested privacy during this sad and difficult time.
‘Our thoughts and condolences remain with those who were lucky enough to know, love, and be loved by Mrs Nowland during a life she led hallmarked by family, kindness and community.’
The NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley also offered her sympathy.
‘On behalf of the NSW Government, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the Nowland family for the loss of their dearly loved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Clare Nowland.
‘Our sympathies and thoughts are also extended to the community of Cooma, Mrs Nowland’s friends, as well as the residents and carers at Cooma Yallambee Lodge.
‘We will continue to offer support to the Nowland family as they mourn this loss and we urge people to respect their privacy at this time,’ Ms Catley said.
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