From the land down under, we are served a bitter dish of unchecked police power and a lack of basic human compassion.
The story revolves around Senior Constable Kristian White, a 33-year-old officer from the New South Wales Police Department in Australia. His latest incident: Tasering a 95-year-old dementia patient, Clare Nowland, who now clings onto life.
The incident took place at the Yallambee Lodge nursing home in Cooma, southern NSW, where Clare was living out her sunset years. Around 4 am one morning, in a state of confusion common to dementia patients, she found herself wielding a knife. White’s response to this frail, elderly woman was a harsh jolt from a Taser.
Clare’s aged and frail body didn’t stand a chance. The shock from the Taser sent her falling, and the subsequent blow to her head led to a cerebral hemorrhage. Her twilight years, meant for peace and care, have been violently disrupted, leaving her in end-of-life care.
Following the incident, Constable White has been placed on suspension while an investigation unfolds. He enjoys the privilege of full pay during this period – a stark contrast to the dire straits Clare now faces due to his rash actions.
Constable White’s controversial past adds another layer of complexity to this tragic tale. Alongside a partner, he once detained a motorcyclist, Allan Watts, well beyond their jurisdiction. The encounter, caught on body camera, displayed an egregious abuse of power, with White’s partner threatening to “break your legs” should Watts attempt escape.
The questionable circumstances of Watts’ detention led ACT Magistrate Bernadette Boss to rule the body camera footage inadmissible. Charges against Watts were dismissed and the officers’ conduct was labeled as “outrageous”. This incident raises critical questions about the officer’s track record and his suitability for police duty.
The repercussions of the Taser incident have reached the desk of NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, who has committed to an urgent review of Constable White’s professional history and current work status. Her conversation with Today Show host Karl Stefanovic brought attention to the officer’s checkered past.
However, Constable White was the sole officer involved in the Taser incident at the nursing home. His partner from the motorcyclist incident had no part to play in this tragic scenario.
Constable White’s actions have sparked a critical debate on the accountability of law enforcement officers. Should this officer be allowed to resume duty after deploying such extreme force on a 95-year-old woman? This question stands tall and unanswered as we examine the fine line between law enforcement and human empathy.
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Source: AWM