Australian police are facing renewed scrutiny over their use of force after a 95-year-old woman with dementia was tasered inside her nursing home. The woman, who has not been named, remained in a critical condition after the incident which took place on Saturday morning. It is reported that police were called to the nursing home over a dispute with the woman’s carer before tasering her.
The incident has sparked fierce criticism from the public, with many questioning the use of such force against a vulnerable elderly person. The Australian Council of Civil Liberties has called for a full investigation into the incident, with a spokesperson stating that it was a “completely unacceptable use of force.”
The incident comes just days after Australian police were criticised for not releasing footage of a taser incident involving a man in Sydney. The man, who is black, was tasered by police after he allegedly assaulted an officer and attempted to resist arrest. While police say the use of force was justified, civil rights campaigners have demanded to see the bodycam footage to assess the situation for themselves.
The issue of police use of force is a contentious one in Australia, with many arguing that there is a lack of accountability and transparency in the system. The country has been rocked by a number of high-profile cases of police brutality in recent years, leading to calls for reform.
In response to the criticism, some police forces in Australia have begun introducing new measures to increase transparency and accountability. This includes the introduction of body-worn cameras for officers, which has been shown to improve police behavior and reduce accusations of misconduct.
However, critics say that more needs to be done to address the underlying issues of systemic racism and lack of accountability in the Australian police force. In particular, there have been calls for greater diversity among police officers, improved training on dealing with vulnerable members of the community, and greater accountability for those who abuse their powers.
Despite the criticisms, many in the Australian police force argue that they are simply doing their job in a difficult and often dangerous environment. They point out that the vast majority of police officers work hard to protect the public and uphold the law, and that cases of misconduct and abuse of power are relatively rare.
The debate over police use of force in Australia is likely to continue for some time, with many calling for a more open and accountable system that protects the rights of all citizens. For now, however, the focus remains on the tragedy of the 95-year-old woman with dementia, and the need to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
