Sen Const Kristian White allegedly fired Taser at Clare Nowland within a minute

The encounter between a police officer with a Taser and a great-grandmother with a knife all played out within a minute, police will allege.

The encounter between a police officer with a Taser and a great-grandmother with a knife all played out within a minute, police will allege.

The length of time it took for Clare Nowland to be Tasered and the words allegedly said by the officer in the lead-up could be crucial to the investigation into the tragedy.

Senior Constable Kristian White allegedly asked 95-year-old Mrs Nowland to “stop” several times during negotiations with her to put down a knife, then said “Oh bugger it” as he deployed the Taser.

He has been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault, and ­reportedly has indicated he will defend the charges.

“This is an issue across the board, that some people think a taser is an easy option, but it’s not an easy option,” a former NSW Police negotiator with more than 20 years experience told the Saturday Telegraph.

“You have to think about the consequences, of someone falling over, the effect that can have.

“I didn’t ever use it as a negotiator.”

Clare Nowland with her granddaughter Kylie Paske. Picture: Facebook

The former officer said police officers usually carried a Taser on the opposite side to their gun, or in the middle of their chest if they were wearing an operational vest.

He also said that calling out “Taser Taser Taser” is a “standard practice and warns your partner that something is going to occur”.

It is understood the female acting sergeant who was with Sen Const White will not be charged, but may face an internal affairs ­investigation over the steps she took prior to the alleged assault by her colleague.

The former negotiator said it was high time authorities took a “good look” at their training systems around ­Tasers, risk assessments and mental health training.

“It’s a very sad situation, the whole thing is awful for everyone involved and the police force needs to make sure it has all the best possible practices in place,” they said.

Clare Nowland went skydiving to celebrate her 80th birthday in 2008. Picture: ABC News

Staff at the Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in the Snowy Mountains had called emergency services for assistance after Ms Nowland, who had advanced dementia, had been found holding a steak knife in the early hours of Wednesday, May 17.

Mrs Nowland died in hospital a week later, surrounded by her family. She was a mother to eight, grandmother to 24 and great-grandmother to 31.

Mrs Nowland’s family issued a statement expressing their “profound love and affection for our Mum, Nana and Great Grandmother Clare”.

URGENT REVIEW OF COP TRAINING

The state’s top cop has called for an urgent review of all mental health training for officers and the procedures around responding to emergency calls ­involving people with mental health issues.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb. Picture: Adam Yip

While mental health training is an ongoing element of ­officer education, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed she had met with her executive team to discuss the need for reform as a matter of priority.

The Saturday Telegraph understands the meeting took place prior to the tragic Cooma incident in which an elderly grandmother was tasered and later died in hospital.

“However, that review will now be fast-tracked,” Ms Webb said.

“I have called for a review of all mental health training, the way we respond to incidents and the head of the negotiation unit will be involved in helping us plan the best way forward.

“This is a matter of priority for me. I understand both the demands on police, the specialist care required and the community’s expectation to get this right.”

Commissioner Webb said the role of a police officer was constantly changing and the force needed to evolve and be on the “front foot”.

She stressed it was important police “could not do it in isolation” and would draw on the expertise of other agencies when it comes to mental health issues, brain disorders, and conditions such as dementia.

“As issues impacting our community evolve and change, so too do the expectations on our police,” she said.

“Police in 2023 deal with so many more challenging societal issues than they did even just a decade ago.

“We need to have a thorough understanding of the challenges people face and be equipped with the skills and knowledge to respond accordingly.

While reluctant to put a date on the time frame of the review, the police chief said the review was a matter of priority.

According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, police were called to detain a person to a mental health facility on more than 20,700 occasions in 2022.