Doubt cast on police timeline of statements on tasering

Doubt has emerged over the official explanation for why the public was not told for two days about the tasering of a 95-year-old, amid claims of a cover-up.

The police minister and police commissioner have both strongly rejected the cover-up claim after AAP revealed several key details were slashed from the first public statement about an officer's tasering of nursing home resident Clare Nowland last month.

A 171-word draft press release was more than halved with mention of paramedics, the taser, a knife and other relevant details removed.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the priority was to ensure Mrs Nowland's family was informed directly and the integrity of the investigation was maintained.

But Opposition leader Mark Speakman cast doubt on that theory.

"You can put plenty of labels on it but there is a lack of accountability and a lack of transparency," he told reporters on Thursday.

"There was an initial failure to disclose that Mrs Nowland had tragically been tasered.

"That delay took up to 54 hours and although a reason has been offered that they needed to talk to the family, it hasn't been explained why it took up to 54 hours."

NSW Police declined to say whether it took more than two days to tell Mrs Nowland's next of kin.

"As the matter continues to be subject of a critical incident investigation, it would be inappropriate to provide further information at this time," a spokeswoman told AAP on Thursday.

The initial press release of 71 words was released about 12 hours after Mrs Nowland's tasering on May 17.

Media reports emerged late on May 18 but the first police statement mentioning a taser was not published until 10am on May 19.

Mr Speakman said police could have mentioned the taser and other details while de-identifying Mrs Nowland by removing her age and the location of the nursing home.

"We don't let sensitivities restrict that (release of information) with other crimes," he said.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley deflected a barrage of questions in parliament on Thursday about when she saw the first police statement and when Mrs Nowland's next of kin were informed.

Those were operational matters for police, she said.

But the minister reiterated the police decision to not release "graphic details" until the family was fully informed and stressed the steps police took to ensure the incident was properly investigated.

There was independent oversight and the officer involved has been charged.

"The (members) opposite are calling all of that a NSW Police cover-up," Ms Catley said.

"That is truly disgraceful."

Premier Chris Minns earlier rebuffed suggestions police were withholding anything else and stressed the media release issue was distinct from the investigation into the incident.

"I do have confidence NSW Police did their job and took this very troubling incident very seriously from the very beginning," he said.

Mr Minns has swatted away suggestions he should sack his police minister.

He said he had seen evidence of her good working relationship with Ms Webb during the recent Hunter bus tragedy.