Police officers pepper sprayed an 87-year-old man in a nursing home in south-west Sydney after he was seen brandishing “a metal ornament”.
In a statement, police said officers from Camden on Wednesday night responded to a nearby aged care facility after reports of a concern for welfare of a resident.
“The man had reportedly threatened to harm other residents and himself, while armed with a metal object, swinging it at staff who locked themselves in a room,” the statement said.
“Upon arrival, officers located the 87-year-old man in the foyer, still armed with the metal ornament. He refused police direction to put it down and OC spray was deployed.”
The man was “restrained”, police said, before being taken by NSW Ambulance paramedics to Campbelltown Hospital.
NSW Police said “nil injuries” were reported in the incident.
Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden on Thursday said that despite the man’s condition, he was “still a risk”.
“He was threatening staff. He was violent and was suffering from an altered state of consciousness and he was making indications of self-harm,”
he said.
“He still presented a threat to other patients who still presented a threat to the staff and to the police, and I’m satisfied that the matter was resolved expeditiously.”
Assistant Commissioner McFadden said it was “challenging” for officers who arrived on scene.
“It’s a very challenging circumstances and I just wanted to emphasise the conduct of this male is not one that reflects the individual,” he said.
“Such is the insidious nature of dementia and the challenges it presents.”
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2h agoThu 20 Nov 2025 at 5:44am
Press conference finishes
That’s it from Assistant Commissioner McFadden.
For more coverage of this story head to the ABC News website.
2h agoThu 20 Nov 2025 at 5:44am
Man was ‘still a risk’
Assistant Commissioner McFadden has been asked about whether the man was a threat again.
“But despite the age, he was still a man of a reasonable size, and he was still exercising a level of strength,” he said.
“He was a risk to himself, a risk to other members of staff, the risk to patients and police was still prevalent.”
2h agoThu 20 Nov 2025 at 5:41am
Questions turn to Clare Nowland similarities
The incident is sparking questions about the case of Clare Nowland, who was killed by police in a Cooma care home when police tasered her.
Assistant Commissioner McFadden is quick to dispel the similarities.
“I think the only parallel that can be drawn is affected our both in aged care facilities,” he said.
Each set of circumstances we approach on its own merit. We look at the nature of the information that’s available, and we deal with the challenges or the threat that’s provided.
“I’m satisfied that the officers have turned up promptly and satisfied that their engagement has resolved the matter.”
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