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”.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
The man was “restrained”, police said, before being taken by NSW Ambulance paramedics to Campbelltown Hospital.<\/p>\n
NSW Police said “nil injuries” were reported in the incident.<\/p>\n
Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden on Thursday said that despite the man’s condition, he was “still a risk”.<\/p>\n
“He was threatening staff. He was violent and was suffering from an altered state of consciousness and he was making indications of self-harm,”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
he said.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Assistant Commissioner McFadden said it was “challenging” for officers who arrived on scene.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“Such is the insidious nature of dementia and the challenges it presents.”<\/p>\n
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Press conference finishes<\/p>\n
That’s it from Assistant Commissioner McFadden<\/b>.<\/p>\n