ABC News Daily The investigation into police Taser safety
May 3, 2026
Grace Tobin, an investigative reporter for Four Corners, digs into Taser safety and industry practices. She recounts Clare Nowland’s death and legal fallout. She examines police training, Axon’s market dominance, medical research on cardiac risks, and the controversy over the diagnosis called excited delirium. The conversation probes whether Tasers truly reduce harm or introduce new dangers.
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Death Of 95 Year Old Claire Nowland
- A 95-year-old aged care resident, Claire Nowland, was tasered by NSW officer Christian White and died about a week later in 2023.
- The court heard White said "nah, bugger it" before firing; he avoided jail and was given community service, leaving the family with unanswered questions.
Demand Better Taser Training And Situational Use
- Police insist taser training is mandatory and includes role-play scenarios, but a NSW review after Claire's death made no policy changes.
- Families call for better training and situational decision-making to avoid reliance on tasers for compliance.
Axon Dominates Taser Market While Deaths Rise
- Tasers were introduced as an alternative to firearms but Axon dominates the global market and supplies most police forces in Australia.
- Grace Tobin found six deaths in five years linked to incidents where a taser was used, raising reliance concerns.