White was sacked from the force a week after a jury found him guilty over Nowland’s 2023 death, with NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb saying she did “not have confidence in the officer’s suitability to continue as a police officer”.
“Accordingly, I have removed him from the NSW Police Force and he has been advised via his legal counsel,” she said in a statement at the time.
White has now taken legal action against Webb over claims of unfair dismissal, seeking a review of her decision in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission on the grounds the sacking was harsh, unreasonable or unjust.
The matter is listed for a hearing on Thursday afternoon.
In a statement, NSW Police said it has been advised of the legal action, but that it could not comment further as the matter was before the Industrial Relations Commission.
White was found guilty of manslaughter in November after he discharged his Taser at Nowland while she was standing with a walking frame holding a serrated knife in the Yallambee Lodge aged care home in Cooma in May last year.
Nowland, who likely had undiagnosed dementia, fell backwards and hit her head, and died a week later from bleeding on the brain.
A court heard White said “nah, bugger it” before shooting the great-grandmother in the torso with his stun gun.
White had pleaded not guilty to the charge of manslaughter.
He is currently on bail awaiting sentencing.
Manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.
