A heartbreaking tragedy has taken place in Australia after a 95 year old woman was tasered in a nursing home by a police officer, leading to her death. On Wednesday, a 54-year-old police officer from Melbourne was charged with aggravated manslaughter over the incident, making it believed to be the first time in the nation’s history that an officer has been charged with manslaughter over alleged use of force.
The incident took place at the Victorian aged care facility Dingley Village last month when police were called to the home in response to a disturbance. According to reports, the 95-year-old woman had been agitated and was reportedly making threats. While it’s not yet known for certain what occurred, the officer is accused of having tasered the elderly woman, resulting in her death.
The officer in question has since been suspended from the police force and is now facing the tragic consequences of his alleged actions. Many people are now arguing that the situation may have been avoided if the officer had used other methods to try and pacify the woman. Others are also left wondering why a person of such advanced age was even subjected to such a dangerous device like a taser in the first place.
The officer is now awaiting further investigation into the incident. In the meantime, the elderly woman’s death has served as a reminder of the important of prioritizing non-lethal methods of policing over potentially dangerous methods. It has also sparked a much-needed discussion about the need for further awareness of the potential risks of using tasers on elderly citizens or those with mental issues.
