An 87-year-old man has been hospitalised after being pepper-sprayed by New South Wales (NSW) Police at an aged care facility in South West Sydney. The incident occurred shortly before 8:00 PM EAT (3:00 PM AEDT) on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, prompting a significant response and a forthcoming police media address.

In a statement released on Thursday, November 20, NSW Police confirmed they were called to the facility over concerns for the welfare of a resident. According to the police report, the man was allegedly armed with a "metal object" and had threatened to harm himself and other residents. Staff at the facility reportedly locked themselves in a room for safety before police arrived.

Upon their arrival, officers located the man in the foyer, still in possession of the metal ornament. Police stated that he refused to comply with directions to drop the object, which led to an officer deploying oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray, commonly known as pepper spray. The man was then restrained and attended to by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being transported to Campbelltown Hospital for assessment. His current condition has not been publicly disclosed.

This incident has drawn immediate scrutiny and raises critical questions regarding police procedures and the use of force, particularly when dealing with elderly and potentially vulnerable individuals. It follows previous high-profile cases in Australia where police actions in aged care settings have been intensely debated. Notably, the tasering of 95-year-old Clare Nowland, who had dementia and later died, in a Cooma aged care facility in May 2023, led to widespread public outcry and charges against the officer involved.

The NSW Police Force's Use of Force Manual stipulates that officers can use force that is "reasonably necessary" and proportionate to the circumstances. The guidelines require officers to consider factors such as the age and physical condition of the subject. Advocacy groups and legal experts have consistently called for enhanced training for police in de-escalation techniques, especially for situations involving individuals with cognitive impairments or mental health issues.

The NSW Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 governs the use of force by police, and any critical incident involving serious injury or death during a police operation is subject to an internal investigation. It is expected that a critical incident investigation will be launched in this case to examine the lawfulness and appropriateness of the officers' actions.

While this event has no direct link to Kenya, it contributes to a global conversation on policing standards and the protection of vulnerable populations. In Kenya, the rights of older persons are enshrined in the Constitution, and various policies aim to protect their welfare. This incident in Australia serves as a case study for law enforcement agencies worldwide, including the Kenya National Police Service, on the challenges and responsibilities of interacting with an ageing population, some of whom may suffer from age-related health conditions.

NSW Police are expected to provide further details during a media conference scheduled for later this afternoon, Thursday, November 20, 2025. The outcome of the man's assessment at Campbelltown Hospital and the subsequent police investigation will be closely monitored by aged care advocates and the public.

In a separate and unrelated event from Queensland, Labor MP Nikki Boyd was ejected from the state parliament for an hour after being accused of making an offensive gesture, described as "flipping the bird," towards the premier. The speaker is reviewing the incident.