Police officer’s employment ‘under review’ after manslaughter verdict

Senior Constable Kristian James Samuel White has not immediately been terminated as a police officer after he was today found guilty of manslaughter over the death of 95-year-old Clare Nowland, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has confirmed.

White discharged his stun gun at Clare Nowland in a treatment room at Yallambee Lodge aged-care home in the southern NSW town of Cooma on May 17, 2023, causing her to fall and hit her head before she died in hospital a week later.

He was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury in the NSW Supreme Court today.

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Webb this afternoon told media that White’s employment was “under review” following the verdict.

“The court has found Clare Nowland died as a result of the actions of a police officer,” Webb said.

“This never should have happened… The officer’s employment is currently under review… His ongoing employment is also subject to a legal process.

“There is not a lot I can say about today, the court has reached its verdict.” 

White has been suspended with pay up until today.

Webb said his employment was “under consideration,” but was not clear on whether he would continue receiving his pay.

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The commissioner said the termination of a police officer was it’s own a legal process, regardless of the jury’s verdict.

“The process has to be followed for it to be legally valid… The evaluation is not contingent on what happens tomorrow,” Webb said.

White will face a detention application hearing tomorrow to consider if his bail should be revoked as he awaits sentencing.

Webb also said NSW Police had reviewed their Taser training earlier this year and no changes had been made, deeming the training “appropriate.”

Webb said she would reach out to Nowland’s family following the verdict.

”I pass my condolences onto the Nowland family.”