Clare Nowland dies, officer charged
Clare Nowland, the great-grandmother who was tasered by police at her Cooma aged care home, has passed away in hospital.
The news was confirmed by NSW Police, who said the 95 year old had died “peacefully” with her family surrounding her. Clare was the devoted mother of eight children, grandmother to 24 grandchildren, and great-grandmother to 31, with four more due in 2023.
“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," they said.
Meanwhile, NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley offered condolences to Clare’s loved ones - and community - on behalf of the government.
Clare had been in hospital for a week, receiving treatment and end of life care following the May 17 incident at Yallambee Lodge, where police had been called out when Clare - who had dementia - had been holding a steak knife.
She had been using a walking frame at the time, and “moving at a slow pace” according to police, when Senior Constable Kristian White tasered her. Clare then fell, hitting her head, and fracturing her skull.
33-year-old White was charged only hours before Clare’s passing, with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault. He was suspended from duty - controversially, on full pay - and is expected to face court on July 5.
However, Webb previously noted that there was a chance the charges could be upgraded in the event that circumstances surrounding the incident changed.
“In NSW, you’re innocent until proven guilty,” she added. “He is afforded the same as any other resident.
"It is possible [the charges could be upgraded], it depends on what happens."
Webb had also explained that she had not yet viewed the police body-cam footage from the day, but that she wanted to review it with a better idea of what had actually transpired. Pressure for Catley to watch it had been mounting as well, in time with growing concerns over public confidence in law enforcement.
The police force drew criticism from all over for their response - with Webb defending officers in the wake of the story breaking nationally, and globally - though a critical incident investigation squad was set into motion by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, with NSW Police assuring that “investigations into the critical incident will continue.”
However, as Webb said, “this is one incident out of many many calls for service, over two million calls for service every year that we respond to for all sorts of things.
"So I'm sure that the community can be reassured that New South Wales Police will carry on with the job that we always do."
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