Your View - British Columbia

It's a shame that Robert Dziekanski was treated like nowhere else in this world. Before talking about the wrongful and cruel approach that the RCMP showed, let's talk about humanity. Let's talk about people left for 10 hours in an airport tired, hungry, and disoriented, let's talk about how Canada and Canadians embrace the new comers. I am one of them. I am also ashamed for my belonging to a place/nation where people are downright murdered for not knowing their way around. Is an international airport a place where you cannot get as much help as to finding your way out? There are so many aspects and so many implications this case reveals. It would take pages.
But what is the most important thing is a man's life, taken for no reason.
My deepest regrets to Robert's mother and to his family.

Posted November 19, 2007 08:13 AM

Taser International has faced a number of class action lawsuits as well as investigations from the Securities Exchange Commission for violations of s.s 10 (b) and 20 (a) of the Securities Exchange Act.

Excerpt from SEC's statement of violation:

1) that the Company actively and continually obscured the truth about the safety of its TASERs; (2) that even after it was revealed that more than 70 people had died in North America in TASER-related incidents, the Company vehemently asserted that its weapons were safe, in order to maintain profitability; (3) that the Defendants accelerated the Davidson's deal in the fourth quarter of 2004, in order to book the revenue, so TASER did not have to report its first quarter-to-quarter revenue decline in nearly two years; and (4) as a result, the Company lacked any reasonable basis for any statements it made regarding profitability and safety.

Posted November 19, 2007 08:11 AM

People working in the Border crossing are supposed to help those who cross. YVR with those people working there is a shame on Canada. Basically in their mind they treat every person coming into Canada as criminals, thieves or drug dealers(by doing that, we still see too many drugs in this country). They ask descrimilating questions to humiliate people all the time. They think every person getting into Canada is a wrongdoer and should be got rid of, which caused this tragedy. The whole philosophy of treating people must be changed. There must be better ways to treat people and protect good people.

Posted November 19, 2007 07:27 AM

Personally I don't feel that the RCMP are alone to blame for this horrible lax in judgement.
The security officers in YVR are trained to handle incidences in that airport...they KNOW that they are dealing with people from other countries.
All that would have been needed to be done was to check the flight this man came off of and call overhead for a translator. Please don't tell me that in an airport as large as YVR not one person could speak Polish??!!
2 minutes speaking with him and all could have been avoided.

I too am from parents of immigrants...and this incident makes me sick with grief and ashamed of how our RCMP handled the situation.
EVEN IF....the tazer had not killed him....I don't feel that 1 un-armed man could not have been restrained by 4 strapping young officers without tazer force!!!

My heart goes out to his mother and to his family in Poland.

Posted November 19, 2007 06:51 AM

I have a son who is in his third year of university with all intentions of joing the RCMP after graduation. Until now that is. He feels too ashamed to associate himself eith this organization that keeps embarrasing our country more and more everday.

Posted November 19, 2007 06:00 AM

I SAW SOMETHING EVEN MORE DISGUSTFUL !!!!!

AFTER THE RCMP DISCOVERED ROBERT HAS STOP BREATHING AND YOU HEAR THEM SAYING CODE RED, IF YOU LOOK CAREFULLY, THEY NOT ONLY DID NOT TRY TO REVIVE HIM, THEY EVEN LEFT THE CUFFS ON HIM... THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE AND PROTECTION

Posted November 19, 2007 06:00 AM

Why did they not look at Robert's passport to determine his nationality to provide an interpretor ?why did the man's mother or his family not teach him
some basic words in English, and at least meet him at the airport?
Everybody let this man down.
Just because someone is confused at an airport and does not speak the local language is not a reason to react in any violent way!
Robert was confused and jet lagged, and ignored,
waiting for hours after a very long jounrney & flight...waiting for his family who never showed up to greet him, bad enough, but then His "welcome" to Canada was pure ignorance & brutality, ironically, like he may have encountered thirty years ago where he came from under the occupation of the country they thought he came from....but who would have thought it to be in this year and place. The Poles have suffered brutality under other nationalities, but I would not have thought Canada would be one.

Posted November 19, 2007 05:02 AM

I'm absolutely disgusted in the behaviour of the RCMP.

Posted November 19, 2007 02:24 AM

After watching this video I have to agree with the actions taken by the members of the RCMP. These young constables walked into the airport and observed a violent man. This man was combative towards all members involved.

The majority of people who have posted a thread must think that they observed a man who was sitting back reading a magazine and enjoying a cool drink as he tried to figure out where the hell he was.

The members of the RCMP went into this situation professionally trained. They observed this man's actions change and acted accordingly.

It is unfortunate that this guy died, but I can't see why the majority of Canada has to pick apart the police force that has protected this country for over 125 years.

If this incident happened in Mexico, the police probably would have shot him....no questions asked, and the CBC wouldn't be posting a thread of "what is your reaction"

A final message to the people who have completely bad mouthed the RCMP. "911 is dialed because somebody is attempting to break into your house, your away for the weekend and your loved one's are home. You need somebody there to help your family while your away. The RCMP responds, catches and arrests this person and now your family and possessions are safe"..........Hmmmm sure makes you look differently upon the RCMP now.

Please remember that unfortunate incidents happens and that the RCMP is here to serve and protect Canada.

Posted November 19, 2007 02:18 AM

This was completely unnecessary and violent and horrible. My heart goes out to this poor mans family and to all Poles! He was obviously non-aggressive towards the officers, he was scared and confused and unable to communicate. SO SO SO SAD!!!! Those officers should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law! SO SAD!

Posted November 19, 2007 02:00 AM

I still can't believe this horrible incident took place in a country that prides itself on justice, the upholding of human rights and democracy. I, like many others, also had ... that's had, a deep respect for the RCMP before this incident. Besides of course now being very angry at the obvious screw up of the RCMP in using excessive force to subdue through murder a compliant but confused man, I am incredibly disgusted at the fact that no one administered first aid to Mr.Dziekanski; not the RCMP, not the airport authority, nor the border guards. They should of course all be held liable for this man's murder. I watched a friggin' cop wind up the damn wires to his killing machine (Taser) rather than administer first aid!!! What the hell was that all about?? And the other idiot was pounding his baton on the ground right beside Mr. Dziekanski's head while his victim lay dying!!! Cold hearted killers!!!

I have had relatives who have worked for the RCMP in the past and I am very aware of the dangers of their profession. However, anyone who can honestly say that they back these moron officers in their actions really needs to get some oxygen flowing to their brains. I don't care if this man had a stapler in his hand or a chair ... this RCMP death squad has been trained in hand to hand combat and should have resolved the situation in a more humane fashion. And the liars in the RCMP that have tried to mislead the public with regards to the events in this assault should all be fired ... and charged with being accessories to murder. Shame on them all!!! As a Canadian I hang my head in shame. And the next time I need a police officer I will think twice before I make that call. The last thing a difficult situation needs is more of these incompetent idiots showing up at the door!!

My deepest sympathy and sincerest apologies to the family of Mr.Dziekanski. My heart goes out to you.

Posted November 19, 2007 01:49 AM

I am not only shocked but also afraid. Is it the police task to check situation first and act afterwords? Is it the police task to help to resolve strange looking situations?

What he have done that threats the police so much that would have justifyied such treatment?

Wouldn't be easier to simply ask someone to translate what he was saying, asking, begging?

Can you imagine yourself being extremly streesed, tired, hungry, (not sleeping for 2 days)and even not pissed off and simply waiting, waiting in a place you do not know, with language you don't understand and waiting for someone you know should come for you so you shouldn't change your possition in order not to be missed?

Can you impagine your parents, brothers, friends in a such situation? I can.

Not only English is spoken over the world? Is that mean we cannot travel to the countries the language we do not know?

Maybe on the traveling ticket to Canada should be said - IF YOU DO NOT KNOW ENGLISH WE WILL KILL YOU!!!!!

Posted November 19, 2007 01:43 AM

Let justice be done! Is anyone above the law??

Posted November 19, 2007 01:25 AM

This is a very unfortunate event. I do believe that the office did act too quickly in deciding to tazer Dziekanski. Although Dziekanski had pick up something that could be a potential weapon, he did not make any moves towards the police office. So in my opionion Mr. Dziekanski was being uncooperative as oppose to combative.

With this said, I believe there has been a great deal of prejudging. Mr. Dziekanski was only tasered once. The second noise heard on the tape is actually Mr. Dziekanski falling into a sign. You can see the sign on the tape, on the ground, on the bottom right hand side just behind the garbage can. You also only see one office rolling up the wires to the taser. Two of the officers did not remove anything from their belts. The fourth officer had his baton in his hand. If any of the other three had used their taser you would see the taser in their hands with the wires leading to Mr. Dziekanski.

Secondly, many of the posters are suggesting that one of the officers was striking their baton at Mr. Dziekanske's head with an intent to injure. Just so everyone knows, batons are know as collapsable. You flick your wrist in order to extend the baton to the full length and then in order to make it small again you bang it on the ground.

Third the officer did have his knee on Mr. Dziekanski's head. Officers are taught that having your knee or using your body to keep a persons head in the ground is just not acceptable.

Finally I want to point out the two comments made by the person doing the video tape. He complained about the police not being there to control this person and he also made the comment about how he couldn't believe that Mr. Dziekanski was still fighting with the police, after he was tasered. Although clearly mistakes were made, I think I will wait to pass judgement until I have all the facts.

Posted November 19, 2007 12:21 AM

Uhm. Do I need to be a voice of reason and point out that he was resisting arrest? You have no reason do that ever. It's sad that the guy died, but it also didn't look like he was in the best of health in the minutes up to the taser shots.

Posted November 18, 2007 11:23 PM

We are deeply concerned about the gross misrepresentations of Sgt. Lemaitre. We did not know a video tape of the tasering at YVR was available until approximately a week ago. Clearly, as was observed by one of your reporters [Mr. Milewski, I believe], Sgt. Lemaitre's comments absolutely DID NOT SQUARE with the facts of the incident.

Posted November 18, 2007 11:23 PM

Boy, are these guys gonna have to do a LOT of paperwork now!

Posted November 18, 2007 11:15 PM

R.C.M.P.,....para-military federal thugs.
From the days of Louis Reil to today,....not much has changed.
Thank god for city police. My possible neighbour whom I have more respect for than 20 something ill trained Federal gun slingers who get rotated out of my community every two years,...only to be replaced by another 20 year old somebody who was spat upon by the locals in Northern Manitoba/Saskatchewan, B.C. etc. Get the RCMP into CSIS and be done with them once and for all.

Posted November 18, 2007 10:57 PM

The police taking such quick and thoughtless reaction to the "incident" was barbaric, brutal, and completely uncalled for.

A person died because of their predetermined judgement to use a tazer instead of simply seeking a translator or the common sense to use compassion and understanding.

Let us not forget about:
**Ian Bush - shot in the back of the head as "self-defence"
**The 91 year old man who was brutally physically abused by Police in Oak Bay Victoria BC this year 2007 during a traffic stop.
**The Police trying to incite a riot in Quebec earlier this year
**The Pension Scandal - money missing, only to be returned during investigations
**17 other Tazer Deaths in Canada

Police have a BAD TRACK RECORD when it comes to "Peace Keeping".
There is no accountability for the wrongful actions of the police, the only punishment is to be "reassigned, or to resign".

To the RCMP and Police forces in Canada: CANADIANS HAVE WITNESSED YOUR WRONG DOING! ITS TIME FOR YOU TO ADMIT WRONG FOR ONCE AND RECIEVE JUDGEMENT LIKE ANY OTHER CANADIAN CITIZEN!!

Fear should not be an automatic reaction to seeing a police figure; rather, one of relief - for the Police are supposed to "serve and protect" us,not shoot first and ask questions later.

Posted November 18, 2007 10:46 PM

Ashamed; Ashamed; Ashamed of our Royal Canadian Mounted Police
FOUR RCMP Officers and TWO IMMIGRATION OFFICERS PRESENT FOR THE KILLING OF AN INNOCENT MAN WHO COULDENT SPEEK OUR LANGUAGE AND CONSEQUENTLY COULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH AUTHORITIES SO THEY MURDERED HIM.
I have thought for a number of years that QUEEN ELIZABETH II should take away the “ROYAL” from the ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE. Not only because of the Vancouver International Airport taser murder but all the previous taser deaths, the outright shooting of people by the RCMP; because of the Chief RCMP pension incident, because of the many prisoners the RCMP have in jail because of withholding evidence the would have otherwise brought innocent trial outcomes; because of all the sex scandals the RCMP Officers are accused of and have gotten away with; because of the shooting an unarmed person in a jail cell in southern Alberta a few years ago; etc etc etc etc etc the list can go on forever.
I hope that I will not get a criminal record, be intimidated or be harassed by the Canadian Mounted Police for these comments. My confidence and respect for the Canadian Mounted Police has hit “Rock Bottom.”

Posted November 18, 2007 10:06 PM

blood on their hands....I am a Canadian living abroad and I have to say how ashamed I am but at the same time not surprised at all. The fact is the police often act in this way and cover things up. I call for criminal charges laid against the appropriate individuals. I would also call for the resignation of those that tried to deceive the public with the accounts of what happened as well as to those that tried to keep the video from the public. Heck, if it weren't for the video the RCMP would have painted a picture of Robert Dziekanski being an extreme danger to others making the tasering a justified action. Just add to his mother's unbelieveable grief? The irresponsible airport staff also needs to be investigated.....believe me, I've been in numerous countries and airports and I can say that this sounds like typical Canadian airport customer service; lazy and unfriendly. This is truly an international embarassment from a country that sees itself as the anti-america when it comes to policing, gun control and violence.

Posted November 18, 2007 09:49 PM

After watching the video of the police murder Mr. Dziekanski I am wondering when those in authority stopped trying to communicate with people and have taken to shoot first and ask questions later. Oh yeah, when our leaders began kissing the backsides of the Americans. I guess we will be adopting the American yippee ki-yay attitude of guns blazing as indicated by the misdirection of Stockwell Day when trying valiantly to not answer any questions, protect taser use and in general avoid the killing of Robert Dziekanski. It was impressive to watch Mr. Day pull drunk driving out of the stratosphere to confuse the issue. The police should be up on manslaughter charges at least, if not negligent homicide for leaving Robert Dziekanski on the floor dying and providing no CPR. Just as an afterthought to the police, try communicating first; shoot only if nothing else will work, not because you can't be bothered.

Posted November 18, 2007 09:18 PM

At one time, police officers were trained to physically "take down" uncooperative subjects. Today, four strapping officers use 50,000 volts of force to subdue a seemingly cooperative person. Very sad, very distressing, very incompetent, very cruel and inhumane use of the taser. Although I'm confident it has its place, this was not one of them.

Posted November 18, 2007 08:57 PM

Man, I can not believe all the idiots that publish their hair brained assumptions on this webpage. These fine young RCMP members did what YOU could not, control a situation, as a result - very unfortunate, but not their fault - a man died. I guarantee you this...it was not the fault of the taser, or the members involved. What you can't see off camera is lots...I am thoroughly disgusted in the people that post there idiotic comments without any knowledge of how to use force. As a Canadian I am proud of how our men/women in uniform acted. You people should be ashamed of yourself....fools...

Jimmy

Posted November 18, 2007 08:53 PM

What is ultimately sad for the public (beyond watching the RCMP murder a man) is that the public now has no reason to trust the very people they are told they can trust.
The RCMP murdered this man.
I can no longer trust the RCMP.

Posted November 18, 2007 08:48 PM

I finally had a look at the video after hearing so much about it. I am shocked.

Clearly in Canada we now allow the police to kill people for not speaking English.

I expected to see a raving lunatic finally subdued and taken down by officers to protect us all. Instead I saw a clearly disoriented man who spoke no English, was not a real threat, and was killed within a few minutes of encountering the RCMP. If the poor worman who tried to help him did not feel threatened, then why did the 4 officers? Why did they not perform CPR as soon as they realized that the man was a "code red"?

I find the whole situation amazing. As a Canadian, I am ashamed. His poor mother will win millions in the lawsuit, but that will never bring that poor man back nor explain the actions of these officers. They should never return to the force because they do not know how to handle themselves normally. They should face manslaughter charges.

This was a very, very black day for all of Canada. The attempted discrediting of the witnesses by the spokesman for the RCMP should also face criminal charges and spend some time behind bars. I am ashamed for them (the RCMP) and for all of Canada.

Posted November 18, 2007 08:44 PM

do we really send these peopel to other countries such a Haiti, Afghanistan, etc, to train their police forces? My God, how much more egotistically deluded can we get? How about WE ask for help in training our police. First thing we have to do, is stop them from watching any more Clint Eastwood movies. You are Canadians, not Americans.

Posted November 18, 2007 08:18 PM

Ashamed of our RCMP
I have thought for a number of years that QUEEN ELIZABETH II should take away the “ROYAL” from the ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE. Not only because of the Vancouver International Airport taser incident but all the previous taser deaths, the outright shooting of people by the RCMP; because of the Chief RCMP pension incident, because of the many prisoners the RCMP have in jail because of withholding evidence the would have otherwise brought innocent trial outcomes; because of all the sex scandals the RCMP Officers are accused of and have gotten away with; because of the shooting an unarmed person in a jail cell in southern Alberta a few years ago; etc etc etc
I hope that I will not get a criminal record, be intimidated or be harassed by the Canadian Mounted Police for these comments.
My confidence and respect for the Canadian Mounted Police has hit “Rock Bottom.”

Posted November 18, 2007 08:09 PM

Accessory to murder would be the two YVR staff who were standing there doing nothing---not calling airport Paramedics because they would have been their two minutes? since the 4 officers were obviously not capable of administering it. What I wonder is if the Tazer in the enclosed area scrambled the officers brains too? I haven't been to that part of the airport so I don't know if it was a glass enclosed room or just enclosed on three walls?
What bothers me the most was this was the death of a dream of a young man (40 is still young), the joyful reunion of mother and daughter as well as the death of confidence that Vancouver can host an international games if the aiport failed so miserably in communicating with a person speaking a major language. What about he other 100's of languages that are not as common... It really worries me

Posted November 18, 2007 08:08 PM

The external enquiries that have been announced should result in some worthwhile recommentations regarding this horrifying incident and how airport and RCMP in contact with Robert in his time on Canadian soil can improve their performance.
However my faith in the RCMP has been completely shattered and I hope the wider issues in the organisation will be fully addressed - overuse of force, cover-up, lying and cronyism - as seen in the deaths of Ian Bush (BC) and Darren Varley (Alta), among other incidents of abusing their authority; and inadequate training as in the deaths of the two RCMP officers in the north. Public confidence cannot be restored without an independent, full and open enquiry. It is no good saying, as the ex-RCMP officer on Cross Country Checkup protested, that other forces are worse; we would not be so shocked and appalled if this is what we expected from our officers.

Posted November 18, 2007 07:45 PM

I AM SAD TO CALL MYSELF A CANADIAN AFTER SUCH A TRAGEDY! NOT ONLY DO THE RCMP HAVE TO BE CHARGED SO SHOULD THE VANCOUVER AIRPORT! THERE ARE NO EXCUSES FOR THIS BEHAVIOUR IN OUR COUNTRY. ARE WE NOT WELCOMING THE ENTIRE WORLD IN 2010? MY HEARTFELT SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO ROBERT DZIEKANSKI'S FAMILY.

Posted November 18, 2007 07:34 PM

It truly amazes me that people are so shocked by the behaviour of the four thugs that attacked and killed this innocent man and by the outright lying of the police afterwards. After all, the RCMP has a very long history of abusing the very citizens it is sworn to protect; and, in fact, for most of it's history was at the beck and call of company owners, politicians, and other establishment types whenever they felt the need to see some heads busted (look-up the Winnipeg riots). I'm sure that the main reason we see new RCMP spokespeople every so often is that the public trust can only absorb a given number of lies and distortions before it becomes a little shakey. And please, lets cut the crap about judging too quickly -- in other words, they need time to do proper sweeping.

Posted November 18, 2007 07:11 PM

Caring, compassion, these are Canadian traits. This is what makes them different to Americans. Airport personnel are living up to those high standards, called "Canadian Values". For ten hours
this poor man was looking desperately for help and
he surely got an outpouring of love, caring and
affection.

I for one am not so eager to be showered with Canadian love and will avoid that country as much
as I can.

Posted November 18, 2007 06:28 PM

Where I come from...this is murder. This man was not a threat. What country do we live in....?

These four officers should all be charged with voluntary manslaughter.

What would the media say if this poor man was black...does Rodney King ring a bell??

Murderers...all four of them...grade 12 with a gun.

I see on the news that they are re-assigned...the easy way out.

Posted November 18, 2007 05:55 PM

I lost lot of respect for police from BIG CITIES were they feel power of themselfs instead human heart for peaple they should protect. We pay taxes for at. As Polish Canadian I feel lot of understanding for Robert Dziekanski. Nobody translate his words before he dies morder by four taser shots, by four BIG policemans. After 48 houres travel to Vancouver he was held 10 houres in that room. First his words was " I suit you" to sam person not on video later " I suit everybody" and his last words was "help". Instead help from police after 25 seconds TALK he receive taser shots. Eazier kill somebody than find sam translator. After we Polish change system in Poland and become free nation, member of Europ, UN, NATO. Polish soldiers dies in Afhganistan and Irak. Same of as as has to immigrate to Canada in process fight of Poland freedom. To Canada country with the bigiest heart peaple ever I know. I feel disturb by this Video and Ihope justice will be done. Steve

Posted November 18, 2007 05:33 PM

Paul Pritchard should receive the decoration of Canada for standing up to the RCMP. Shame on you in trying to cover up. I got more trust in my dog than you the RCMP. You're part of a macho culture thinking that you're above the law. The little trust I had in you is gone. You're making me sick!!!

Posted November 18, 2007 04:23 PM

Robert sees the RCMP and yells "policja policja". HE THINKS THEY ARE COMING TO HELP HIM

Posted November 18, 2007 04:13 PM

I am so sorry that you did not find help here in Canada and that this happen to you, as you were attempting to start a new life here in Canada.

What a strategy, I do agree with the voice of Canadians that this kind of behavior has been going on here for way to long now and as a Canadian I say no more sweeping our incompetence under the political rugs and victimising people further, time to own up.

We Canadians have been lied to for many years as well so do not hold the people here responsible for the lies, and sins of our leaders.

I’m glad someone had a camera this time and I do hope justice will not be denied this time as it has been before. The officers should be fired and charged just because they lied about the event and the reasons they took action. They were no dought acting on information they received so the Security guards that just stood there should also be fired and so should the airport boss for hiring these guys.

Posted November 18, 2007 03:52 PM

My last comment was not posted so here goes again.

ONLY in Canada will a pedophile (the lowest of the low!) be escorted out of the airport in handcuffs and an innocent man be killed. Good Work RCMP.

Canada is not as mighty as it thinks, the main problem with Canada is that they think the rest of the World lags behind them when in reality, many many countries exceed Canada in plenty of areas (ie Police force, security, conflict management, etc.)

Posted November 18, 2007 03:50 PM

I'm finding it very interesting that in the news media we are hearing lots of chatter about the possibility that Robert died from "excited delerium," but we haven't heard one word about this tragic possibility:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positional_asphyxia

http://pso.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/pso1600/Sec%203%20Positional%20Asphyxia.htm

Positional asphyxia occurs when people are in positions in which their abdomen and diaphragm are compressed in such a way that they can't get enough oxygen into their bodies. It is especially dangerous when people are restrained face-down, and when they have pressure put on their necks. Exacerbating factors include physical exhaustion and obesity (Robert was maybe not obese, but certainly not small!)

I of course am not a doctor or a pathologist but it's interesting to me that there has been no mention of this phenomenon by anyone involved in the case, including the media, yet we've been hearing tons about "excited delerium," which is very controversial and usually linked to cocaine use. It's hard not be cynical, because death by positional asphyxia would place the blame on the police, whereas a verdict of excited delerium would mean that it was all Robert's problem.

I think everyone should do some reading and wonder why no one has brought up the facts about positional asphyxia.

Posted November 18, 2007 03:41 PM

MR DZIEKANSKI kept a Canadian flag above the door to bedroom.

Posted November 18, 2007 03:32 PM

As some previous posters have questioned, I wonder how Canadian custom officials could have missed a distraught man lingering around luggage pick-up area (still a secured area) for over 8 hours! I was personally approached and questioned by a custom official whom later searched my luggage not too long ago so I am sure custom officials are in the area and watching people. Have they been told not to speak up?

Posted November 18, 2007 03:23 PM

I cannot believe the apoligists for this murder of an innocent person. It bogels the immagination of honest Canadians that their national police force would lie and try to cover up this man's death. This is a shame and a stain on Canada above and beyond the pale.
Paul Pritchard.....if you had not done your duty as a free citizen we would only have the corrupt RCMP version of events....take care brother, I would not trust these immoral bottom-feeding, corrupt murderous gang, any further than I could throw them.
Sadly, they will get away with murder again.........defaming every honest cop in the country.
I hope the 2008 Opympic community distances itself from these people as soon as possible....visitors do not want to come to a country that executes immigrants upon arrival!!!!!!

Posted November 18, 2007 03:18 PM

For all you folks out there that were going on an on about how "the police are trained and we just don't understand what they are up against" or "trust your local cop"

Where are you now that the video has been released.

Disgusted - you bet!

Surprised - not a chance!

Boy I'm so glad the original policy was about using a taser where a gun wasn't needed huh? Thank God in heaven there were tasers or this guy would have been shot executioner style instead of what happened.

I'm so deeply sorry for his family. I hope they understand why this kind of video is needed and why Mr. Dziekanski's death needs to be public.

We need police, but like all authority - we need it checked and balanced so that this kind of thing occurs far far less frequently!

Posted November 18, 2007 03:03 PM

This is a terrible tragedy. I DO feel, however, that there are other issues that haven't been looked at. Mr. Dziekanski seemed ill-prepared for his trip and his move to Canada. Mr. Dziekanski and his mother were preparing for his move for up to seven years. Both the Polish and Canadian Embassies offer specific advice on travelling/moving to new countries and could have been contacted. It would also have been prudent to learn a few basic English words and/or phrases to make his travels easier. Perhaps these could have been prepared for him by his mother or he could have had a Polish/English dictionary. Millions of people travel to foreign countries where they don't speak the same language, and millions of people have to spend hours long stretches at unfamiliar airports - myself included. I don't recall ANY foreign airport being particularly user friendly - Heathrow being amongst the worst. One must take responsibility for oneself, when travelling, and make some basic preparations. Especially in this era of post 9/11 one must be cautious. Yelling, ranting, throwing a computer, and throwing a stool are NOT behaviors one should exhibit at an airport, no matter HOW frustrated one is or how long one has waited! I question how someone would be treated at a Polish airport for behaving similarly.

Posted November 18, 2007 02:52 PM

I am an immigrant moved to Vancouver 10 years ago, I can share my feeling when I arrived the airport and reported to the immigration officers.
When I arrived the airport, no one told me what I should do and how to process the immigration procedures. Only one thing I could do was following other people to the exit. Fortunately I could speak a little bit English and was able to find the entrance of the immigration office after picking up my 2 luggage. But I was not allowed to take my luggage which contain all my personal goods and something I really I need to start my new life in Canada to the office. I was asked to leave my belongings to a place where I could not see after entering the office. I was so scary when I entered the immigration office without my luggage. And I was treated very impolite, I guess most of you are Canadian-born Canadians. You can’t imagine how difficult to a person just traveled to a brand new country after 15 hours fliy.
I just left Vancouver airport for my business trip to Asia 3 days. When I passed the security checkpoint, I found out most of the staff (security guards, airport employees) are impolite, no smile to the travelers, the security guys even chatting jokes while they were checking the travelers. And this is the face of Canada which the foreigners will remember when they arrive and leave the country.
Sham on the RCMP, not just those 4 policemen but also the spokesman, the are trying to cover the truth and trying to lie to the public. Another thing make me sick is how could they treat a human worse than a dog? They let Mr. Dziekanski's body lying on the floor like a dead dog.
Pray for Mr. Dziekanski's family.

Posted November 18, 2007 02:47 PM

At this point, thanks to Paul Pritchard’s video, Canadian police brutality is showcased internationally and has brought Canada on par with that of several countries where our own Foreign Affairs discourages “non-essential” travel. The term they use is “The security situation is dangerous and unpredictable”. For us it should read “Canadian police forces are dangerous and unpredictable.” The fact that the Commission for Public Complaints Against the R.C.M.P. has existed for 20 years is a testament to the severity of this problem. I urge you to write or fax your letters of outrage to your Member of Parliament (listed in the blue pages of your phone book), Prime Minister Stephen Harper (613-941-9900) and to the RCMP Public Affairs and Communication (613-993-0260).
Support your civil liberties organisation however you can, wherever you are.

Posted November 18, 2007 01:52 PM

Apparently these 4 RCMP have been reassigned.
This is a sort of good news.
BUT I would like to know where they are and what they are doing.
I don't want to be anywhere near where these murderers might be reassigned. I would hope they are on desk duty deep in the bowels of some clerical job where they never have to interact with the public or sign out a weapon.

Posted November 18, 2007 01:50 PM

Aa a mother, of course I am horrified, regardless of the reason. As a viewer I think many people failed this family, beginning with the airport security, customs personnel and client services. Secondly, and sadly in my view, the RCMP's reaction to this incident reflects on the lack of proper on-going training of RCMP members. Continuous training, similar to our Canadian Armed Forces, keeps them prepared and alert.
Four RCMP constables against a lone man, in a secure area, would hardly warrant the amount of restraint used. However I say that only with the slightest of facts. We do not know all the facts and clearly cannot lay sole blame on the RCMP. This man looked very unwell and seemed to be in a delusional state of mind. It was the cummulative list of errors [from many parties]that ultimately left this family devastated. The RCMP have lost too many of their own and it is time the RCMP got back to their roots, not only to protect us, but to protect themselves as well.
Thanks
D

Posted November 18, 2007 01:33 PM

This is a very serious affair, not just a question of tasers vs no tasers.
Four men with tasers attacked a man and killed him. I think I heard three taser dicharges, after the man was down he was tasered again and then attacked while on the ground. The police spokesman lied about what happened, lies he retracted after the video was released. What sort of training was received by these four attackers? How can the public trust the police? We have to take measures to rebuild some credibility of our policing system. Remember the young man shot in the back of the head in northern BC earlier in the year?
We need a complete overhaul of our policing arrangements. We need some independent review of serious incidents, and we need to be able to trust our police. I wish I could trust them, but it'll be a long time coming.

Posted November 18, 2007 01:33 PM

Although I was as sickened as many after watching this video, I think that we need to realize that there were different viewpoints to this incident. First of all, the victim was a huge man and visibly agitated, for various reasons. He had been smashing furniture (there were pieces of it laying around) so he was capable of violence. He did raise his hand with a metal object (to the police) that we later found out was a stapler. The police did not know what he held. I am not happy about people being tasered but also think we need to realize that the RCMP put their lives on the line day after day to serve us. They need to protect themselves too (look how many have been killed on duty recently.). Although there were four officers, if the object was a gun, overpowering the man would not stop one of them from being shot. My heart goes out to his mother and to his father, who apparently is in shock too. This was a terrible tragedy but let's wait for the enquiries before we point fingers. Let's all try and put ourselves in the officers' shoes too.

Posted November 18, 2007 01:28 PM

TO THOSE WHO DEFEND RCMP
Do they think that they will never be on the receiving end of a police tazer just because they will never get caught up in unlucky circumstances, such as Robert was?
Or maybe die as a result of a brutal police takedown, such as Robert was?
Feeling lucky today and everyday?

Posted November 18, 2007 01:08 PM

Ever since tasers were introduced, there have been ongoing reports that the use of this device can cause death. Accordingly the police are aware that it is dangerous and this incident demonstrates beyond all doubt that these RCMP member's unwarranted use of this weapon makes them little better than common thugs and bullies whose "protection" Canadians can do without. Four huge, well built men need a lethal device to subdue an individual who had already surrendered? This is outrageous, unacceptable and without any believable explanation.

One thing needs to be kept in mind above all else in this matter. Tasers don't kill people, people kill people.

I would therefore have no reservation in calling for the criminal prosecution of these so called public servants on the charge of murder. A message needs to be sent to the RCMP. They are the public servants. It isn't the other way around and Canadians have an expectation and a right to competence and integrity from their police forces. I would also call for a civilian body to oversee the conduct of the RCMP on an ongoing basis. It is no longer acceptable and it never was, to have the police overseeing the actions of the police.

I will never have any trust or confidence in the Police departments in this country until such changes are made because without them the police are telling me and you that they can kill anyone they want for any reason with impunity.

Posted November 18, 2007 01:04 PM

Police murdered an innocent man.

Posted November 18, 2007 12:57 PM

Over the last month I have followed the news and watched the video of the RCMP fatal taser shots delivered to Mr. Robert Dziekanski. I'm shocked with anger in the way the airport employees and the RCMP officers handled this crisis. It clearly sounds like the RCMP officials changed stories almost daily to shift the blame elsewhere for this tragic incident. The recently released video shows us all who is to blame for this tragic end of human life. I hope the RCMP and the Vancouver International Airport authority will change their intervention tactics and follow new procedures in place, just in time, for the 2010 Winter Olympics. We don't need to show the world of more tragic taser gun incidents in Canada.

Posted November 18, 2007 12:27 PM

RCMP Commissioner William Elliott claims these officers have been "assigned to other duties". Let me translate this into simple English. "We are hiding and paying our brotherhood while we hundle around tables in secret places to figure out more lies to offer up to you stupid Canadians?"

Posted November 18, 2007 12:04 PM

How many people do the RCMP have to kill before this is stopped?
The RCMP defend every murder that they commit with "self defence" or "we had no other option". Maybe they should reconsider their practices. There are many police forces in the developed world who are not killing people.

Posted November 18, 2007 11:46 AM

Don't they have computers at the immigration in Vancouver airport ?
If someone checks with the first control post but then does not appear at the second one, does it not trigger any sort of an alarm at all ? Can people just disappear in the "secure zone" there without anyone noticing ?

Posted November 18, 2007 11:37 AM

Actually, I think the issue started with the lack of translation capabilities, security officers not getting involved and immigration not recognising that Robert had been wondering around in the secure area for hours.
The most disturbing thing is that this death could have been prevented. It is obvious in the video that Robert is under tremendous stress and I am not convinced that all steps were taken to de-escalate his behaviour. Actually, even security officers in the healthcare system who interact with violent and psychiatric patients seem to receive more adequate training for this type of scenario. They take control of an individual without a taser, without pepper-spray and definitely no gun. Wondering how mean someone can turn when under extreme stress? Try to prevent a heavy smoker from having a cigarette and this should spice-up your day.
I recently read a press release about taser guns and while I believe this weapon contributes to less use of lethal force and that it may not be the cause of Robert’s death, it could definitely increase the levels of stress in an individual. So it is not that much of a stretch to think that Robert was already undergoing an episode of excited delirium and that his stress levels increased as he was hit by the taser. In these situations, the subject’s heart may just fail leading to instant death.
This goes directly towards recognising potential medical conditions such as diabetic shock for example where a patient looks like he is drunk and out of control. Appearances are misleading. So unless Robert had a concealed knife or any other weapon, I think that the police officers involved in this death failed at taking the time to assess the situation correctly.
The use of a taser cannot be justified in a case where four officers are on scene and when the subject can be restrained. I just would not like to be in the boots of the officer who took the initiative.

Posted November 18, 2007 11:27 AM

This goes much deeper than the brutal behavior of the RCMP. This man's death highlights a complete systemic failure of the system. Perhaps we should do as the RCMP insists, and wait for all the evidence including their falsified details of the account. Paul Pritchard is a hero to stand up to these bullies and shed irrefutable light on the mentality behind these individuals and organization.

Who will protect us from those who are supposed to protect us?

Posted November 18, 2007 11:16 AM

Disaster we have, the death of a man. Viewing the situation from this side of it, there are many questions to be answered. While it is perfectly clear that most of the public want to blame it all on the RCMP, and they deserve their share of the blame for being to quick to draw the taser, others need to be held to account. Customs knew he arrived from Poland, they must have noticed he could not speak English or French, YVR Security, the family for not making sure he would have a few words of English or French, the airline he flew on, if it is true they told his mother he did not come in on that flight,( they really need to be held to account for the security of the people that fly with them by knowing who did or did not get on their plane), and Mr. Pritchard. Of all the people involved in the disaster, he is the worst of the bunch. Mr. Pritchard did nothing to help, but by God, he got his video, is making his money, getting his fifteen minutes of fame, and will no doubt be offered more when they make the movie. From what I have seen of Mr. Pritchard, he is just happy to be on TV, and get paid If he really wanted to help, he would have done so at the airport. The video should have come out, no question, but is it really what was happening? The only person who appears to come out looking good in the whole thing is the lady that tried to help the man, she tried to do the right thing.

Posted November 18, 2007 11:11 AM

This was a tragedy for this family,a sad day for Canada,for the RCMP,for YVR,and most likely,for the officers involved.My sincere condolences go out to all of those involved.
I am someone who stands behind people who put themselves in harms way to defend our country,and it's laws.And,in controversial times,I almost always give them the benefit of the doubt.And I will refrain from vilifying anyone.
I am,however,expecting a full explanation from both YVR and the RCMP once they have completed their investigations.Both have a lot to answer for,and any investigation that does not result in changes will simply be inadaquate,and likely mean a serious loss of confidence by many people who would otherwise be very trusting of law enforcement officers.
ANd,in no way,can we give YVR a free pass on this just because we are focused on the RCMP.Airport fees at YVR are massive.How is it that these billions of dollars have led us to this "cattle drive mentality" when it comes to the treatment of the travellers who use these facilities??
Shamefull ! Maybe heads should roll.But for sure,changes are not optional.They are mandatory.And must be both effective and transparent.

Posted November 18, 2007 10:58 AM

I just saw the news last night for the first time of"The Taser Video" and I was so appalled I could not sleep.I have been angry and in schock ever since.I am a Canadian citizen but I am here visiting from the US and I am ashamed to call myself Canadian after witnessing the lack of compassion and professionalism displayed by the Vancouver Airport and the R.C.M.P.
What happened to that poor man and his Mother could have been avoided if everyone had done the job they were meant to do.Upon arriving from a foreign country employees should have been on the look-out for passengers seeming lost or in need of aid...shouldn't they?After numerous attempts at locating her son,shouldn't that have sent up a RED flag for one of the employees to momentarily leave thier post and try to locate the missing man?(Worst case scenario...what if he were actually a terrorist--left alone for 6-10 hours...he could have done alot of damage)Sadly...where was everyone?
Mr.Dziekanski appeared to be weak and possibly dizzy and understandably so if he was dehydrated and hungry.He wasn't getting any assistance or closer to his waiting mother and didn't know why.Of course he would be frustrated.
The R.C.M.P. had NO cause to taser him
They had NO right to continue to taser him and when a man is down on the ground writhing and screaming in pain...WHY pile on top of him and kill him?It was obvious by thier actions that it would have been too much of a nice gesture to revive him.How PITIFUL.
After all that man was put through,Mr.Dziekanskis mother was put through as much and more...and what do we offer her?a night in a shelter.
(maybe for her breakfast some dry bread and water)My heart goes out to her:(

Posted November 18, 2007 10:35 AM

Deeply, Disgusted... I watched the video and what I saw was four men dressed as RCMP officers Murder a man with a Taser. These men need to be in Jail. They commited second degree Murder, so they should be where they belong JAIL. Not reassigned to other duties.
The thing that bothers me most, is the RCMP had to be threatened with a law suit before they released the tape to its rightfull owner. I smell attempted cover up and it stinks.
I say we as resposable Canadians have to demand that Tasers are outlawed in this Country. Now, before we welcome the world here in 2010. If we do not and we have these Sick, Twisted, RCMP officers running about with Tasers, the streets will be lined with dead non-enlish speaking people. Tasered dead because they do not speak english. Murdered for no other reason than not speaking english.
Boycott 2010 until Tasers are no more in Canada!!!!!!!

Posted November 18, 2007 10:30 AM

Lets all get on the bandwagon on hating the police. Everyone is seeing one side of the story. The question should really be is 'Why was this man left alone in customs for a few hours?!' Where are the customs officers in this incident?...out on a long coffee break?...And the next time you people who wants the officers involved be charged with 'manslaughter'...please dont call the police for help when you get mugged, raped, shot or robbed.

If worse comes to worst, I would rather be tased than get shot when I start a mayhem.....Getting shot by a 9 mm would really hurt!!!!

Posted November 18, 2007 10:20 AM

Lance Roseman,

The tone of your "comments" makes it clear to anyone why you've had trouble with authorities. You're probably fortunate not to be behind bars right now. People who have confrontations with authorities have them for a reason.

I'm sickened by the general Canadian public for their lack of insight and their swiftness to condemn... yet here they are talking about how the police supposedly couldn't take time to investigate. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU! The man was tasered for a reason. The taser is NOT a replacement for deadly force, that's why cops still carry guns.

Posted November 18, 2007 10:19 AM

I wonder at what point this man decided that throwing a temper tantrum in an international airport was an option that would bring a good result? Clearly, he should not have died. And if any police officer thought that using the Taser would have led to that result, they would not have used it. Police deal with violent people hundreds of times every day across this country, and it probably never looks nice. But keep in mind the next time you're in a crowd and somebody begins acting violently -- do you want the police to use force to subdue the person, or would you prefer that the police just wait and see if the person will calm down by themselves? Why call the police at all, if you're so certain that the person is not a threat? Go get him a cup of tea and speak soothingly to him. When you call the police, you yourself have moved to another level, you are asking for a different kind of help. Then when the police do subdue him, it is easy to say, oh, he was no threat, why did they have to be so rough? All of this anger and hatred pouring out against the police erodes the environment of civility for all of us. Instead of being judge, jury and executioner, wait and see what the investigations uncover. Those four police officers were doing their job. Despite all the expert opinions here from people who have probably never been even close to a violent situation, level of force is a complex matter. The man should not have died from what went on here, and the police, just like everyone else, will want to know why he died. Think, people, think.

Posted November 18, 2007 10:17 AM

I see that Canada Customs or whatever it is they call themselves these days are trying to stonewall the media with a simple 'No comment'. They hope that if they say no comment often enough you will get tired and go away.

The R.C.M.P. may have over reacted but the real guilt for this tragedy lies with the bureaucrats of Canada Customs. How is it that a stranger arriving in this country could be allowed to wander around in a 'secure' area for six hours nobody could trouble to find someone that could speak his language and find out what his problem was? Why is it that when his mother, who was waiting a few feet outside of the 'secure' area, asked for assistance several times was fobbed off with excuses by bureaucrats who could not bother to go and look.

as a Canadian I am ashamed.

Posted November 18, 2007 10:17 AM

I call it murder; intentional murder!

Posted November 18, 2007 10:11 AM

Is that how we train our police officers??!!
What? It looks like a bunch of punks that have been watching too much TV. Why wasn't an interpreter brought in? The guy had to have a passport to show what language he spoke. I GUESS COMMON SENSE didn't play a role in this situation. OMG what a waste - what a disgrace, what a mess, someone died because of a language barrier. Nice.

Posted November 18, 2007 10:07 AM

Well I definitely see a long dark object in Mr. Dziekanski's right hand right after he gets tasered. Just prior to the initial tasering, clearly one of the officers jumps back from him. He had picked some object up from the desk as he walked by it. This was obscured from the camera's view.

Posted November 18, 2007 09:44 AM

The video shows that the RCMP murdered a man, that they could not communicate with. The person that said during the video "how can he keep fighting them off"....he wasen't fighting, his muscles were contracting due to shock. The makers of the taser claim it is safe. Since when is electrical shock safe? Any level of voltage can kill you, and from experience it makes your muscles tighten, and you shake, till it throws you, but with the taser, you can't be throwen from the shock, the points are stuck into your skin.
As far as I am concerened, the RCMP are just out to settle the score for the members of the force that have recently died in the line of duty, and are now out to murder people when ever they see fit. People now have to be aware that the RCMP will use deadly force and will kill you when they see fit. They are no longer out to protect anyone, just out to murder people as they see fit.

Posted November 18, 2007 09:43 AM

What happened to the police force that I have been so proud of? The ones who used their training by using verbal communication when possible, tact, and diplomacy? From what I seen, the TAC team arrived, not the regular police force. The person who ordered the taser, and the one who left his leg too long on an already subdued victim, are going to have some heavy questions to answer. And, don't the RCMP administer CPR when there is a chance of saving a life?

Posted November 18, 2007 09:17 AM

I have watched and re-watched the video...The first sound of taser was just after the gentleman put up his hands..the second sound was when he was on the ground - the 3rd, 4th & 5th sounds were when the officer who was subduing the gentleman got up took his taser from the ground - he was going to put it back and all of a sudden when for the head of the injured man...remind any one of the time when cops beat up a black guy in the States...same amount of force and this created riots over there...Here, these cops or RCMP will probably be let go on technicality or will be suspended WITH PAY...How very generous of the Canadian government to pay them with our money to beat us up...Thx alot..

Posted November 18, 2007 08:59 AM

The psycho Polish man was agitated. The four RCMP officers tried to subdue him with the taser. Unfortunately, he had a heart condition and died. The only question in an inquiry that I'd be asking was if he reached for something inside his coat or other article of clothing; thereby making a threatening gesture. If he made any kind of threatening gesture (and you can't see because he's behind the counter and his back is to the camera) the RCMP acted 100% appropriately. It's unfortunate he died, but they were clearly trying to subdue him.

The RCMP officers involved in the situation have my full support. They do admirably and have to make life or death judgement calls every day on the job. If the man made a threatening gesture, they responded apppropriately. I believe that in most other countries under these circumstances, police or military would be reaching for guns instead of tasers. I'm unwaveringly proud to be Canadian.

Posted November 18, 2007 08:58 AM

i am appalled at the action of the rcmp of tasering. i think a way of discontinuing the use of tasers is to limit the use of tasers to those police who have been tasered to the full 5000 volts themselves. if they (the police) had that experience themselves (if they had the courage) perhaps those who survived would not use tasers again.

Posted November 18, 2007 08:58 AM

When I saw the raw footage I was horrified, enraged, and devastated at the way this new immigrant to Canada was mistreated by the RCMP, the airport security people, and the Customs & Immigration staff, all culminating in his ghastly death. The only people who had any compassion or made any attempt to help this man were other passengers waiting in the area, two of whom filmed the ordeal. The interviews with his poor mother just broke my heart. The man's dying struggles, probably just to breathe since one of the officers had his knees pinning the man's head and neck to the ground after at least two taserings and after the man could not get up to hurt anyone, are just horrific to watch. Thanks to the young man who made this video and released it for the world to see we are all able to witness this outright police brutality and murder.

Too many people are suffering from tasers to justify their use by anyone, especially police officers so eager to play with their fancy, powerful toys that they forget that it is a human being they are supposed to protect, not abuse.

Posted November 18, 2007 08:56 AM

Greg (Nanaimo_BC) wrote: I've posted two comments on this site in the last two days.

I, too have submitted several posts that haven't appeared. It doesn't matter too much because everything that can be said on this matter has already been said. However, it's a measure of the outrage and concern that so many people are speaking up. A man came to this sad and unnecessary end because of a series of mistakes and omissions caused by many people. (In fact, Mr. Dziekanski committed some of those contributing errors himself though he certainly did not deserve to die for them.) We shouldn't judge the officers for information they did not possess. I'm of the opinion that the officers over-reacted. However, some of the posts seem really over the top in the comments they are making. We are insulated from the grimmer aspects of police work. We don't deal with violent people and dangerous confrontations and seeing the results of force being applied to subdue someone is truly shocking. I hope that our shock and outrage will not prevent us from viewing the matter fairly on all sides.

Posted November 18, 2007 08:23 AM

Police are trained to respond to various scenario's, assess the situation and take appropriate actions to remedy the situation.

This video clearly shows there was no evaluation of the event, and an immediate violent response which led to the death of a man who needed help from the police.

The four members who responded to this call were clearly untrained and not one of the four had the leadership skills to make a decision apart from their ultimate tool, which is the administration of violent force.

Not only should these four members be criminally charged, their supervisors should be held accountable for allowing four people with the privledge of useing deadly force to walk the streets.

I wonder what the spin from the RCMP would be without this video being made public?

My condolences to Robert's family and friends.

Posted November 18, 2007 08:06 AM

Calm down everyone....
Hold your horses...
Police is the same everywhere...
They are young and brave, ready to follow any order.
You can not expect much training from 20 year old boys...
Who let 20 year old boys carry weapons ? /so many killed just lately, too many!/
They come back from funerals of their friends killed in line of duties.....
Yes, they get all our sympathy for risking their lives.
I am an old immigrant from Poland myself.
It breaks my hearth watching that poor guy locked in the cage like an animal...
Police did not lock him there!
Who did?
Who called the Police?
Oh.. it was a poor job!
We all know jokes about Police forces....I say be careful when you call Police.

All the info Police could get /what I see on the clip/ was misleading!

First and the biggest mistake was that Robert is Russian.
All people are equal but not all countries and governments are a like!
I love Russian ppl.
but as Polish myself I know the political difference between the two.
example
Poland is friendly with Americans/ we love Canadians!/, Polish soldiers are in NATO and Poland is in European Union.
The guy is stopped at the boarder and held as Russian.
and again about Security guys @ airport...
Don't they have proper training?
Is it difficult to check the ticket and see where Robert is from?
Is it difficult to call any Polish speaking org. to ask for translation , ..
Polish love Sports! They will be here for Olympics and they can be very noisy!
Invite friendly Poles to Vancouver to show them new changes to the Airport and RCMP there?
Poles are welcomed everywhere but to Canada they have to get Visas!
Lets make that tragic accident be uniting not dividing our great nations!

Posted November 18, 2007 06:59 AM

This is an act that should be looked at in the same way as the Junta in Burma is looked at a possable cut off of trade with Canada, discourage travel or outright ban travel to Canada if this conduct is not stopped the people brought to trial and punished for this execution and the other 16 possable executions. In this case the people responsable should if the Polish Government so chooses should be tried in Poland and do their sentence there as they did execute a Polish citizen. I firmly believe that all trade with Canada should sanctioned by the UN and a world wide boycott of the 2010 olympic games is in order, if this execution style police practice is not stopped and all people involved brought to justice by that date.

Posted November 18, 2007 06:56 AM

With the actions of the RCMP at the Vancouver Airport and the attempt to cover up the story by various RCMP spokespersons should the people posting negative comments be worried that the CBC will be passing your information to the RCMP?The RCMP and the people at the CBC are both employees of the Federal Government.

Posted November 18, 2007 06:38 AM

There is a storm of protest growing in the country over this murderous event.

The responses by the Prime Minister;the Minister of Justice;the Minister responsible for Homeland Security;and the Minister responsible for Immigration will determine whether their Government will stand or fall in the next election.The 'law and order' agenda is starting to stink.
.

The response of the RCMP may determine the future of this force!

Use of lasers must be suspended by police everywhere in the country until the policy is reviewed concerning there use.Obviously many Officers just don't get it.

If anyone thinks this issue will fade in the public mind they are sorely mistaken!

Any body want to bet this would not have happened if the victim had been english speaking travelling on a British Passport?

Posted November 18, 2007 06:30 AM

I posted a comment a few days ago about the murder at the Vancouver Airport and it has not appeared. Has the Federal Government told the CBC to cut down on the bad press for the RCMP on this site.

Posted November 18, 2007 06:16 AM

After seeing clips, and hearing the 10 minit audio,
I wrote to the Prime Minister, as follows:

" YOU better hear this heads up to review
TASER use by DAMNED GIRLS at YVR.

My tax dollars WILL NOT be spent on
GANG RAPING the UNARMED and
exhausted innocents who are lost...

...Get a grip on these knuckle dragging morons."

The video is not viewable on my machine,
but the message is clear:

We sorely wronged this family, and
those responsible should not be in uniform.

Posted November 18, 2007 06:07 AM

The problem is, having kids for cops.

Posted November 18, 2007 05:50 AM

I was ashamed by the actions of YVR, Immigration Officials, and especially the RCMP regarding this incident when I first seen the video. To me it is plainly obvious what happened here, as it is to most of the world. Most people internationally revere Canada, and if I wanted to get an unbiased take on what happened here, all I have to do is look at responses from people not from Canada or Poland. And breaking news, every post I seen from my unbiased sample states that the RCMP actions were deplorable.

However, I have to tell you that after reading peoples posts about how they support the RCMP, I am even more ashamed. Regardless of whether you believe taser usage was justified or not in this case, the clear and undeniable facts are that the police were predetermined to use their tasers prior to confronting the victim. And after using the tasor, they deemed it necessary to jolt the convulsing man a few more times for good measure. A man that is clearly not fighting anyone, rather writhing in pain on the ground. Then, when he is unresponsive, no steps were taken to help revive the man despite officers suposedly being trained in emergency CPR. The following day, a completely false account was reported to the public by RCMP officials, which they just so conveniantly clarified as a mistake when the tape finally gets out.

It is one thing to support our organizations, but to blindly support them when they clearly acted inappropriately is just plain ignorant. The thing that bothers me the most is that a lot of the people supporting the police actions have stated they are also officers. It is good this video came out. It once more exposes fundamental problems, not only in Canadian Law Enforcement, but it also shows the sad state of our global society to even have atrocities like this occur.

Posted November 18, 2007 02:40 AM

What you see is only one case. What you don't see is endless.
They(RCMP) will protect their close tie menbers. So don't be surpise if none of the four RCMP will get charge.
-Too sad for Robert
-Too bad for Canada
-Things have to change for the better!

Posted November 18, 2007 01:43 AM

I am in a serious distress and shock after watching this video where the innocent Polish fellow is attacked by our police at YVR after his arrival to vacnouver and then dying due to their vicious attack. And I cannot believe that someting like this can happen here in Canada. This case has to be brought to justice ! It is a murder ! Criminal gangs are on a free ride here in BC while innocent people are being killed by our police !!

Posted November 18, 2007 01:26 AM

In this day and age, buildings, infrastructure and investment are more important than human life. So is image and ambience. It makes people walking around in these places part with their money more easily. That is the goal. An airport--which is private property and a place of business--is especially eager to get people to buy stuff and feel glamorous there. When anyone acts troubled in one of these places, which is a human fact, they are quickly removed as spoiling the ambience. Robert was removed as a piece of garbage. He was removed by "tools" of the system: these egocentric swaggering types specifically hired for the job. These "cops" are really eager to get some of the trickle-down effect from their rich bosses i.e. "think like I do, spit on the average Joe, and you'll get to feel the POWER..." I hope you'll publish at least one of my comments. I'm beginning to think I'm hitting some big nerves with what I'm saying because none of my submissions sees the light of day. It isn't fair to publish only stuff that confirms the plebian mindset. Let the truth out and allow the people to adjust, for Pete's sake! Share the knowledge. It will make things better, really...

Posted November 18, 2007 01:11 AM

HOW on earth could it be that the officers came to the decision of using a Taser on Robert Dziekanski when clearly he had no weapon, was not showing any hostile or aggressive behaviour towards the four RCMP officers? Why did the officers not try to employ any other means to calm down or peacefully resolve the situation? Did they try to get an interpreter? NO. Did they try hand gestures or other non-verbal cues? NO. Did they ask him for ID, so that maybe they could have found his relative at the airport? NO. Did they attempt to be diplomatic and resolve things peacefully? NO. Did the officers show any compassion for this man who was obviously very upset and troubled? NO. Should the officers be charged with the murder of this man? YES! I am absolutely DISGUSTED with how poorly this situation was handled! Shame on the officers who were involved! Shame on the RCMP detachment who have encouraged this abuse of power in the hands of officers! On Oct.14th a man was murdered for no crime other than petty vandalism of Airport property. I believe Tasers should be banned, because they are lethal. AND at the very LEAST, train the officers to use it as a LAST resort! not a first resort! And finally, why can't the police force use tranquilizer guns instead of Taser guns? That’s how they subdue other wild mammals without killing them.

Posted November 18, 2007 12:54 AM

The signage at YVR's terminal is clearly inadequate. Several weeks ago, while we were returning from the US, a large tour group of American senior passengers shared the flight with us. After clearing customs, we discovered that they were all congregating in one spot just a short distance before the glass doors. As we walked past them, some of them began wondering out loud that maybe there's actually another set of doors that they must go through to meet their tour guides. Within moments, we were followed by a parade of tourists dozens strong.

It is very much unclear to us how we can expect any non-English speaking visitor to navigate the YVR if English-speaking/reading North Americans are having a hard time finding their way out of the terminal.

Posted November 18, 2007 12:27 AM

the fox is going to guard the hen house letting the opp investigate
the rcmp is ludicrous they have the same tainted reputation with
the killing of dudley george in 1995 my first visit to british
columbia in 1971 it was the rcmp killing fred quilt in the williams lake area what is next

Posted November 17, 2007 11:52 PM

After witnessing the video a few days ago, my life has not been the same. My heart goes out to the family of the innocent man of the Police's brutal murder. I feel sick to my stomach, I haven't slept properly because I ache within my soul. This is so truely very wrong....and, I fear this is only the beginning.

The actions of the police MUST be made an example of, or I worry about a "Rodney King-Like Riot" to ensue. We have witnessed the police blatently lie on camera about how the situation transpired, and we have yet to see any admittance of fault on the part of the police, simply reassigning the GUILTY officers of this crime is no punishment or admittance of guilt.

How I feel about the police has not changed, only, proven what I have always known - that the Police ABUSE THEIR AUTHORITY ON A REGULAR BASIS: THIS MURDER IS JUST ONE OF MANY.

I have witnessed the police brutally injure many homeless people here in Victoria, even blatently rob them from little they do have.

I have been a victim of police brutality. I was pepper sprayed while in a long line up outside a club, I was not spoken to or anything, all of a sudden I was sprayed and pulled onto the ground by the hair. I was taken into custody, blinded, screaming, in shock and extreme pain (pepper spray feels like glass shards in your eyes), put in a cell with no runnning water to wash the pepperspray, I was released without signing anything, sought legal counsel, went immediately to the hospital, had photos taken of my injuries, had friends who wittnessed the attack make statments, when my legal counsel contacted the RCMP, we were told I was never in their cusody. THEY LIED, AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO ABOUT IT. So the pepperspray damage to my eyes were what, my imagination? So were my friends who wittnessed the attack? So were the club owners?

Police act as though they are above the law, without the government stepping about this atrocity, they become just that.

Posted November 17, 2007 11:52 PM

I continue to be amazed at those who would support the actions of the RCMP in how they handled the situation. I work with the public and on occasion I have to deal with agitated customers, drug addicts, thieves, grown men threatening actual violence on my coworkers, and in the past, grown men threatening ME with violence. I am not a huge, hulking man like those cops appeared to be. I'm an arthritic woman. I'm only 5 foot six. ALL of those situations I was in were neutralized with my mouth. I TALKED to them and sorted things out.

Those cops need to be charged with murder. Four grown men... and all they could think of doing was to torture the poor man? I heard and saw it for myself on the video. There was almost no non-verbal communication used to try to get this man to put his hands on the table. Don't people know how to communicate without words anymore?

I am ashamed to be a Canadian. I am ashamed that this paramilitary organization called the RCMP exists in the form that it exists today.

Perhaps it would be a good idea to Taser every cop three times. If a few of them passed away, then perhaps they would think again about the use of a vicious weapon such as that.

Posted November 17, 2007 11:41 PM

Shame on these police offers. What I saw in the video was not 'To Serve and Protect'. That was 'To harm and Kill'. Totally unprofessional. Sad.

Posted November 17, 2007 11:04 PM

I have watched the video. The whole incident was easliy preventable, but I am particularly outraged by the RCMP actions. They acted like a bunch of heavy handed thugs, not well trained RCMP officers. And then they did nothing to help when there was a "code red". Unbelievable.

There have been too many incidences of excessive RCMP violence, and abuse (some tragic) to permit the RCMP to continue to investigate itself. It is well past time that the RCMP were subject to a credible, transparent independent investigation and review process. This would be an important first step in cleaning up an out of control RCMP.

My condolences to Mr. Dziekanski's family for his senseless and unnecessary death.

Posted November 17, 2007 10:38 PM

Appalling and disgusting... outrageous and a dangerous precedent...God help us all in this country...

Posted November 17, 2007 10:24 PM

In reading some of the comments, I cannot believe there are still people that think the RCMP's actions are even remotely defensible. After seeing that video - those of you that think the police acted appropriately must either be blind, or maybe just stupid ? Is that how RCMP officers are trained ? Wow. These were not professional officers - they were thugs. It is a disgrace - and I sure hope that we as Canadians are treated better when we go to other countries than this foreigner was coming to ours. Anything less than prison time for these thugs in uniform would be an outrage.

In addition to the police thugs - I am also deeply disappointed by our public "servants" who could have perhaps avoided this whole situation. These people saw something less than a terrified human being sitting there for 10 hours waiting for his mother. But from what I have seen how rude and unattending the Vancouver airport staff is when I travel throught that place .. (mainly immigration staff) I should not be surprized. But as Canadians, I suppose we are used to it and just pay our taxes and be grateful.

Posted November 17, 2007 10:19 PM

I am heartened by the outrage shown to this horrifying incident. This is a National Disgrace! More attention needs to be paid to Harper's policies.

Posted November 17, 2007 10:17 PM

To all the people pointing out how difficult and dangerous RCMP's job is, I think there is one perfect sollution. Anybody at the airport not speaking English should be stunned right after leaving the airplane, imagine how much aggrevation and unnecessary distress it would save those poor RCMP officers. You are right their job is a very hard one, let's make it easier why don,t they just hand out teasers and they will not have to go throuh such a wall of criticism. And starting today I will be very careful not to hold a stapler in front of the police officer!

Posted November 17, 2007 09:49 PM

I have not watched the whole video. I can't. But the little that I have seen fills my heart with horror. Coupled with the recent deaths of two young RCMP officers makes me question: who's training these people?

Worried.

Posted November 17, 2007 09:42 PM

One thing in all comments that are posted is this subject. After the RCMP/Airport Security Service found there was a problem after the taser incident, no one came forward to give First Aid / CPR to Robert Dziekanski. They all stand there looking around and at him. There could have been a chance this person could have come back to life (survive this). Police and Security have First Aid training, if not they should be trained. Why they didn't provide this life saving skill when they are trained in CPR? Also, is YVR have AED (automated external defibrilator) at the terminal? What about the person who came and check his pulse. He looks like that he knew some type on first aid / medical training?

Posted November 17, 2007 09:35 PM

I was also troubled by the video, and offer my condolences to Mr. Dziekanski's mother. This was indeed a tragedy that probably could’ve been avoided. However, I believe that we should wait for the outcome of the four separate investigations, including a BC Coroner’s public inquiry), and get all the facts, before drawing any conclusions. We don’t even know the cause of death yet.

One disturbing question is why no CPR was administered to Mr. Dziekanski once the officers realized he had lost consciousness. Were they not trained, or did they “freeze”?

Several posts refer to incidents that did not necessarily occur, or are erroneous – which is why we need all the facts. While this might sound like a defence of the officers, that is not my intention. If the facts bear out a criminal act or negligence, then I believe they should be charged.

- Immigration officials are said to have "detained" Mr. Dziekanski for 10 hours, but we don’t know this. The lawyer for his family was quoted in a Globe and Mail article as saying that he proceeded through secondary customs without difficulty. Once past Immigration, Mr. Dziekanski was free to do as he pleased. We need to know what occurred in the hours before police arrived, and what caused him to become so distressed. At least one report, by CBC’s Eric Rankin, would tend to indicate that he was let back INTO the restricted area on someone else’s security pass.

- Mr. Dziekanski did have an object in his right hand when he was tasered. We need to see other camera angles. Perhaps the officers were, or felt, threatened… we don’t know. While the Taser might’ve been used prematurely, we should remember that people have died while being arrested, from over-agitation, an improper hold, postural asphyxia, etc., even though no weapons, nor excessive force, were used. Unfortunately, sometimes things can, and do, just go wrong.

- The officer was not banging on Mr. Dziekanski’s head - he was retracting his collapsible baton.

Posted November 17, 2007 09:30 PM

i'm sickened but the assult on the man at the airport, no attempt was made to find a person who spoke his language. after spending 10 hours in an airport i too would be more than alittle upset also. i cant belive this is happening in a cililized society- the rcmp murdered this man. why cant people treat other people with respect? why must the police use such force. he dident eat for 10 hours he was hungry confused and tired. did anyone even think to offer him a drink and a bite to eat? maybe if the police arrived with a bottle of water and a sandwich maybe the man would be alive today, it makes me sad to be a canadian.

Posted November 17, 2007 09:27 PM

These four thugs in uniform have been "assigned to other duties"!?!?!! The only other assignment they should be given is to a jail cell, for manslaughter, criminal negligence and breach of trust.

Posted November 17, 2007 09:21 PM

I have not seen the whole video but I have seen some content. I don't think I need to watch the whole thing to get a sense of what may have gone wrong here.

I think we have scared cops, RCMP officers have been dying at what seems to be a regular interval as of late. I think they were scared and over reacted. They became like machines acting on impulse common sense left them and they simply did it by the book not thinking beyond the scope of the what happens if we do this.

In the end criminal or not these men should not be allowed back on the front line EVER. Unless they are retrained. Generally speaking I have respect for the officers RCMP and local police as I have a police history in may family, a cousin of mine was recently hired by RCMP.

However I am concerned about the MILITARISTIC approach police are taking the us vs them attitude that seems to be welling up and the protect the blue line mental focus. This is dangerous thinking, very dangerous. Cops are not military, should not act as such and should not I repeat not be shielded from public scrutiny. They should not investigate themselves nor should they be allowed to keep secret they're activities.

I am saddened by the recent deaths of officers of the RCMP and I am deeply disturbed and concerned that fear is leading officers on the forces of all law agencies and other security agencies to become paranoid and this is dangerous for everyone who love freedom and Canada. I am also saddened that it may have taken a mans death to bring about serous reforms to the RCMP and other law enforcement bodies.

Posted November 17, 2007 09:20 PM

The video is very disturbing and it is most unfortunate that the situation ended so sadly. There is no doubt that there should be independent investigations into the whole incident so that there will be no such tragedy in the future. Obviously some system improvements have to be made with respect to the RCMP and YVR. Having said that, I would like to shift the focus a little to the mother of the deceased. Instead of blaming Canada, why did she not plan her son's voyage to Canada properly, given that the son spoke no English? It could be as simple as arranging for someone to write a note in English identifying the carrier of the note and that he does not speak English, and maybe add the mother's contact info. If Robert had such a note and shown it to a fellow passenger or anyone at the airport, I can guarantee that he would have been helped. Also, why did she leave the airport to drive back to Kamloops without her son? She would have seen him if she had stayed. I do feel sorry for the mother's pain in losing her son, but I just don't understand her.

Posted November 17, 2007 09:16 PM

For all of you whoever said Canada was a peaceful and quite a humane country, well think again. Canadian police no matter local or federal are racist and have no regards for human life but it so happen to be that canada dont have a powerful media that would go about bringing these stories like the American media would. You would see discrimination towards new immigrants from every department top down local or federal. The colleges in Ontario and quebec are filled with hate. And oh yah i almost forgot about CBSA which treats its own citizens like criminals at the border..laugh laugh....OH mon dieu Canada

But i dont blame Canada for everything because it happens to be that they are right next to the Greatest country in the world , the U.S and they just wannabe like them hence inferiority complex among all the citizens including the politicians and lets just forget about the police forces or CBSA.

Posted November 17, 2007 09:12 PM

I feel that the young man Paul Pritchard, who had the social conscience to film the assault on the taser victim at the Vancouver airport, should be very proud of himself!

Maybe more citizens should carry their camera with them at all times. Let the police know that the Canadian population is watching their behaviour.
Diana in White Rock

Posted November 17, 2007 09:11 PM

I think that everyone is missing the point here. After the government introduced the "Taser" weapon into Canada, without public debate, it was touted as a tool to replace the firearm as a deadly last resort. In other words, police could use a Taser to protect themselves instead of a gun/pistol.
With this video and with several other well documented cases of it's use in Canada, it has become quite clear that law enforcement officials are using it instead, to save themselves from getting their uniforms mussed up and getting all sweaty by having to take down a suspect.
The "Taser" is, in fact, a deadly weapon! Use it as such!

Posted November 17, 2007 08:59 PM

Why did they not find a polish translator and talk to this man.This is a total disgrace and the RCMP should be held accountable.

Posted November 17, 2007 08:56 PM

To all the posters calling for chages of murder against these officers.

Yes, they were in error, the use of the taser was excessive, BUT read the Criminal Code please. Murder charges require INTENT, and if the RCMP officers had intended to kill, they would have simply used their pistols, not a "less lethal" option like a taser. Taser DO kill occasionally, BUT killing is NOT their intended purpose. Murder charges are completely inappropriate in this situation as there was NO intent to kill demonstrated. Manslaughter or criminal negligence charges, however, could result, especially due to the lack of an attempt at first aid.

The problem is not with tasers, rather the application of tasers in a situation that could have been defused so easily without violence. It's a shame the RCMP members involved gave up so quickly on attempting to communicate with this Mr Dziekanski.

Posted November 17, 2007 08:54 PM

have you read or heard the comments from Taser International, the company that manufacturers these death machines?
After he was tasered, he continued to resist. . .
Yea, writhing and screaming in agony is now known as 'resistance' in New World Order speak. Then after their assessment of this event, they have a notice to investors on their home page.

Posted November 17, 2007 08:51 PM

My Letter to Minister Day:
Dear Hon Minister Day,

Thank goodness Polish authorities did not treat me (a non Polish speaking tourist) the same way our thuggery the RCMP treated Mr. Dziekanski.

As a Canadian I am ashamed!! I am further disheartened as the public has yet to hear any comment from Canada Border Services Agency or RCMP. At the very least cannot the guilty be named & prosecuted? Or will they be protected convincing even me (once the most supportive of law enforcement) that their actions are those one would expect of gangs and mafias?

I look forward to supporting a law and order government which is supportive of true justice. This would start with ownership of wrongs.

Posted November 17, 2007 08:41 PM

I had a look around the RCMP website. Do you know they only get 24 weeks training before they are let loose with guns and Tazers. To put this in perspective a esthetician requires two years study before they can work in a salon waxing legs and giving facials. A massage therapist studies for a full year.
It looks loks like a pretty good job. The program is free although you do have to cover your own expenses and after three years service you earn over $72,000. Sure you might get killed in the line of duty, perhaps due to your lack of training, or you might kill someone, also possibly due to lack of training. The good news is if you die you get national news coverage for your hero' funeral and if you murder someone in the line of duty the RCMP will cover it up as best as they can and you won't lose your job.
Sounds nice to me.

Posted November 17, 2007 08:37 PM

I have to agree with 'Deeply ashamed (Vancouver)'. This happened at an Internation airport and the people there should be properly trained to deal with problems that can occur when people arrive from countries where English or French is not there native language. In my opinion this incident is the result of poor training and that includes air port staff, immigration officials and the RCMP. We should not be following American gungho attitude and tactics because they do not work and only cause grave and serious consequences.
When there is an inquiry I hope all the actions that led to this tragic is investigated and that includes air port staff, immigration officials and the RCMP.
I hope this tragic incident is a wake up call for the officials who govern Vancouver International Airport. Although the RCMP were the final executioners please also investigate why the immigration officials let this situation develop (is it poor training?). From viewing this video I cannot see why this situation had to go this far. I have visited Vancouver many times and I found Vancouver International Airport a very unpleasant experience but the people of Vancouver are very hospitable.

Posted November 17, 2007 08:30 PM

There was a lack of caring and commonsense both at the airport and with the RCMP. We should not hide behind protocol and procedures. The reaction of the RCMP was callous and uncaring. They should not be allowed to shift responsibility to 'procedures'or to be judged by internal 'whitewash' investigation. This whole episode is a disgrace to civilized society and heads should roll at several levels. We should demand no less. Individual concern seems everywhere to be replaced by 'institutionalized' brutality.

Posted November 17, 2007 08:24 PM

With all those security videos during those 10 hrs,they know that he has no weapon,is not a danger to himself and others.On being confronted by 4 big man in uniform,he was very scared,tired,confused all rolled into one.
Direct confrontation escalates the tension and the inevitable taser zap.It never works out for the victim.
What those 4 guys should consider is to sit down with him,offer something to eat or water to drink to pacify the situation.
Zap now,offer flowers later?Yea,real macho

The winter olympics will be held in vancouver soon.There will be many people speaking different languages and messups, like flight delays, at airports do occur.
People will be angry,frustrated and confused.
From this incident, people will think twice before coming to Canada.
If using brute force,subdue by numbers and pain is standard protocol to engage a situation,then,humanity, understanding,maturity and compassion is not what others see in Canada.
History is doomed to repeat itself.

The motto:
To serve and protect
Means more accurately:
I have the gun and taser.I serve myself and protect myself and woe to you cos i am gonna kill you.Make my day.I am above the law cos i am a law enforcement officer.
Talking are for sissies.I have the power,you don't.
Is this what they learn in police training?I know firmness and assertion is important but direct engagement is never a good option.They already have the time and options at hand.
Work with the guy,not against him please!

Some people offered excuses to justify the taser...Remeber this:Millions around the world have seen the video and deep in their hearts,they know he doesn't this sort of treatment.
If you or someone you love were tired,confused, frustrated, hungry,at a loss for words and needed help and suddenly confronted by 4 big men and tasered and died,see how this is justified????

Posted November 17, 2007 08:08 PM

As a mother of two precious sons, and a daughter if immigrants, I am deeply saddened for Zofia Dziemanski. The troubling part of Robert Dziekanski's death for me is not all about the taser If Mr. Dziekanski landed in the middle of Cape Breton confused as he was in Vancouver, he'd be in someone's kitchen for tea within the hour, whether the Caper spoke his language or not. A colleague if mine in the teaching profession from the south shore of Nova Scotia recently said, "Why don't we hang a hard-copy sign in many languages sayiin 'Welcome to Canada? How may we help you? Go here first (to get luggage) then go here (to "check in"). So simple. So brilliant. So respectful.Secondly, every Canadian needs to take his/her citizenship seriously and rememeber to respect others in a global sense. When we are asked what sets us apart from other nations and citizens, is our kindness not at the top of our list? We must live up to our reputation. Our Canadian-ness must be protected (just like our Senate) :)

Posted November 17, 2007 07:59 PM

What a sad sad story this is. My heart aches for Mrs.Cisowski. This entire tragic situation could have been averted if someone got off their butt and provided her with some accurate information. This is what makes me so angry. Lazy, incompetent workers who can't be bothered to go that extra mile or get their facts straight. I wonder how the person, who told Mrs.Cisowski to go home because her son was not at the airport, came to this conclusion? And what about those lazy ass government workers at CBSA? I wonder what their explanation is. If someone had bothered to check, they would have found out that Mr.Dziekanski got off the plane, but had not yet cleared customs. And with just a little bit more effort, had they taken a walk to this security area, perhaps mother and son would have been reunited. SHAME ON THE YVR INFORMATION DESK AGENTS AND CBSA OFFICIALS.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:54 PM

As i commented elsewhere it seems that the police are not trained to interact with clearly unarmed people. There is a time where an aggressive response to an armed individual who will cause serious harm is needed. But this situation was clearly not an instance where the individual was armed, and causing *any* harm. There was no attempt what so ever, as seen in the video, to communicate with this guy. Some people around me here are saying, "well he was throwing things around". So that justified killing this man. The guy was lost. He was looking for help.

Lets not forget the 10 hour wait in the customs with no help. Think about how you would react. Someone should have offered him a cigarette. Oh, wait, it was probably a no smoking area. An investigation should be done on the customs also. The RCMP had this great upswelling of support when that officer was shot and killed while on duty in Baffin Island. That upswelling of support is severely damaged now.
Tasers are said to give out a 50,000 volt charge. That is a lethal charge if persisted more than 5 seconds. Even with 5 seconds charge people are affected mentally. They use about 5,000 volts in the electric chair to execute people. Some one said that the reason they persisted with the taser shock was because he was struggling/resisting, as shown in the video. He was not struggling or resisting. He was going into muscular convulsions from the charge. During this charge you are paralyzed from making any voluntary movement, no matter how much they yell at you. Thats not to mention how the electrolytes keeping the heart beating are affected by an external electrical charge. They may not die right away, but they will suffer from health conditions later on. An external electrical charge disrupts the chemical balance in the physical body.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:46 PM

A complete abuse of Police power. There did not appear to be any attempt to placate this man, nor to even attempt to converse with him. Of course he didn’t speak English. He was disorientated. Were these Officers so idiotic they couldn’t think to get an interpretor (even though you can clearly hear someone informing them he didn’t speak English), gesture with their hands what they wanted him to do? Obviously not. He was no threat, that is wholly obvious to somebody with more than two brain cells to rub together.

It always amazes me how the US Police are so heavy-handed in every situation. I never thought I would see the Canadian Police go the same way.

These Officers need to be investigted, prosecuted and thrown in jail for their stupid, idiotic and heavy-handed actions. However, I fear that this investigation will be fudged and this incident swept under the carpet all too quickly.

Shame on you Mounties.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:43 PM

What this man needed was some food, some fresh air, some water, some comforting thoughts and some guidance. Instead, he got four jerks with deadly toys who bullied him to death. Any man or woman in his situation would have tried to defend himself/herself instinctively from this callous unwarranted police brutality. Are we expected to submit to this kind of treatment? Imagine someone choking you to death, how would you react? would you calmly try to tell them to stop? or would you start thrashing around until you can't no more?

Anyone who says that Robert needed to be "arrested" or "subdued" is foolish. Shame on the minority of people who still support what happened here. Even more shameful are the RCMP who tried to cover up the story.

Clearly what is needed here is for these so called officers to be put to justice and be made example of. These "officers" weren't there to protect us, they were at best bullies, but more accurately they were lunatics with callous disregard to human life. I just hope that people will forgive them, as human beings, even though they have shown failure in being so themselves.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:41 PM

Four bumbling, incompetent and poorly trained members of the RCMP that have shamed the nation by committing a crime.

They should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Hopefully the authorities learn a few lessons from this tragedy and improve services in situations and places like this.

I couldn't help noticing the 'Welcome to Canada' sign directly above where this poor man lay dying. What a shame as this tragic situation could have certainly been avoided.

My thoughts and prayers are with Roberts mum and his family.

May his soul rest in peace.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:38 PM

After seeing the rcmp use the taser to kill a man for no reason,not only should the tasers be taken away from them, so should their guns.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:34 PM

Why does the media keep saying a man died.
Why don't they say a man was killed.
Why don't they say a man was killed by police.
Why don't they say an innocent man was killed by police.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:34 PM

I'm wondering why was he held at the airport for TEN HOURS??? was there noone that could have talked to him? a translator? this is an international airport? In order for him to get the Vancouver from Poland he had to have made a connection flight at another international airport. He obviously didn't have any problems there. Why?? because anywhere else in the world, they would have had competant people. This guy left Poland in search of a better life, surviving communism. What did he get?? 4 cowboys who didn't know what the hell they were doing, but were riding their high horses and got these cool toys to play with. (tasers). Talk about lack of training. Being polish, i'm disgusted and ashamed to be living in this country. The land of the free?? Whatever.
If it wasn't for the guy that taped this whole thing, noone would have seen and known what had really happened, because just like with everything else, there would have been a coverup. Now it will take a year or more for all these inquires to finish and what will they solve?? nothing. The guy is still dead.. and for what reason?? Because:

1. The airport authorities don't know how to do their job.
2. The RCMP... or as i like to call them "cowboys" who dont know how to do their job.

It doesn't take rocket science to figure out where he is from. He HAD A PASSPORT!!.. Right away any intelligent person would know.. "hey.. i think he only speaks polish.. maybe we should get a translator"... Obviously that airport is filled with a bunch of morons.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:32 PM

Where is the patience, kindness, compassion, and most of all understanding?
A man who is far away from his homeland and people is going to be confused and nervous, it's not a mind blower.
A TAZER? What were you thinking? Couldn't wait to use it!! Trigger happy?
A translater, or even a phone that Robert could use to contact someone might have helped him.
RCMP really need an overhaul of their policies in dealing with people and they need to screen for trigger happiness.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:23 PM

I have watched the video numerous times and have come to one conclusion..there is more to the story! My first thought was that the man was on "something". And I have to say that all the negative feedback against the RCMP and those officers in general is sounding very personal. Do some of you folks know these men? I assume so since you use terms like "lazy","bullies","pigs". It makes me wonder ..How can a short video have all the answers? If this man was at the airport for 10 hrs there should be at least ten hrs of footage.
I'm sure if the police in my city were called because I was ranting ,throwing things,blocking security doors etc as this man they would be apt to believe I am a threat. And rightly so..the damage caused by this guy is an offence and if I caused it would be charged and off to court. Sadly most of you don't realize that tasers rarely if ever cause death, in most cases there is an underlying issue ie health,drugs,physchosis
My condolences to his Mom but honestly I feel more sympathetic to the officers who are enduring hell from the public they serve.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:17 PM

So, more than a month after the fact, the RCMP Commissioner gets out of his comfy chair to announce that the "officers" in question have been reassigned.
What exactly does this refer to? Have they been moved out of the Lower Mainland to prevent any retaliatory action by citizens? I suppose that would be a given.
Have they been removed from weapon-carrying duty? I doubt that; such an event would surely have been trumpeted from the halls of power.

The only appropriate reassignment for these four, who killed a man while playing with their new toy, would be to a jail cell to await trial. This, sadly, will never happen.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:14 PM

After watching the video carefully I am wondering what implement that was the police man on the right seemed to be pounding the poor man with, near the last part of the video.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:12 PM

why didn't the police listen to the people there when they told them that he didn't speak english. If he doesn't speak english i doubt he is going to understand what the police are asking him to do.and why didn't they try to revive him.This poor guy and his mother didn't get any help right from the beginning by the sounds of it.If we are letting immagrants into the country why is there noone there to help them threw the process.This whole situation was rediculous.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:05 PM

Being a second generation Canadian also of Polish descent, I am appalled and deeply aggrivated by this senseless death of an innocent and bewildered man who only wanted to be re-united with his mother. I understand that they would not let her into the area where he was because it was a "secure" area. What a bunch of useless,stupid and incompetant airport employees that she pleaded with only to finally be told that he was not even there.The security were useless too, talking about getting an interpeter, but never doing so. Thinking he was Russian instead of Polish. After 10 hours alone, scared, tired, confused and frustrated, he "snapped a little". Big deal, all he did was dump a laptop and throw a chair. How many of us would handle being stuck in a Polish airport for that long?
Then along comes the four high and mighty RCMP "Billy boys" swaggering up to the area he was in. They had already decided to tazer him before they even got there. A proven fact as mentioned in the video as being heard by them saying, "Shall we tazer him?" "Yeah"
Ignoring the fact he speaks no English,they command him to place his hands out on counter. Of course he does not understand. He raises hands in defeat. ZAP. First tazer blow. When he hits floor ZAP second tazer blow. What in God's name for? Somebody should have rattled the glass and screamed, "Stop, you're killing him! What could they do to you? Not much. Not with so many witnesses.
Finaly, one of the goons, some hulking brute, places his knee against the back of Robert Dziekanski's neck and head while he was face down. You idiot! Can't you see he can't breathe properly. In a minute or two he is dead. No immediate CPR or any attempt to resisitate him. Everyone saw a pre-mediated murder take place.

Posted November 17, 2007 06:54 PM

Could someone please explain to me why NO ONE is questioning the actions or inactions of the people who worked at the AIRPORT. Wasn't it AIRPORT personal that got the RCMP involved in the first place? Didn't the Airport personal get this man into his aggravated state to begin with.
So much for AIRPORT security!

Posted November 17, 2007 06:48 PM

Well it is good to see all people with comments. Iam not sure that any of you are valid to do so as a video from this side of the glass is open to your own interpretation. Put yourself on the other side maybe there was a verbal threat. You comment on 4 against 1 no one knows what he was capable of. What if he managed to get one of the members firearms. Then we may have been mourning 4 again. Don't forget what happened in alberta. Maybe this guy was a police hater and has no respect for law and authority.
Police officers have to often make split second decisions to diffuse an escalating scene. They all want to go home at night to see their families. The taser is an effective tool in the use of force.If you take this tool away then it leaves the police officers to have to move in close to the threat to stop it of to use lethal force the pistol. I applaud the officers for going out into the world and doing their job to protect public. Just think the civil unrest we would have if we didn't have the police officers present. Don't be so quick to judge others actions when you weren't on the other side of the glass.
Where were these highly trained medics that bc supposedly have staffed in the airport. In an event like that they should be present to deal with the potential for injury.
These people that hide behind the camera should maybe get out and help instead of thinking whi I can exploit and sell this recording to so they can make a buck and have their 15 minutes of fame.

Posted November 17, 2007 06:46 PM

What surprises me the most and leads me to question is that didn't atleast one these servicemen notice the man with a video camera as they walked by him? Would the outcome have been different then? Anyone with those weapons but without any training that these forces receive would have done a much better job.

Or perhaps this is just how they deal with everyday incidents.

It is very clear that they did not need to taser him, but since they did, why did they have to taser him more that once? The man was on the floor after the first jolt.

Unfortuneately a lot more of these incidents occur on a daily basis perhaps differing in severity where our police forces believe they are above the law. What was your reaction to this incident before you saw the video? Like many other incidents, had this video not come out, it would have been just swept into another corner.

It is very easy to just look the other way...

I encourage each and everyone everywhere in the world to be responsible and kind to each other. Offer help when someone needs it. Be it on the road when someone is signalling to enter your lane or just a fellow citizen looking for some simple directions.

Posted November 17, 2007 06:44 PM

It is not only the tragedy of the police brutality but also looks like example of police incompetency. From the video it looks like that no life resuscitation was implemented after officers found out that Robert Dziekanski is not breathing. I would like to know why!

Posted November 17, 2007 06:33 PM

The actions of the RCMP (killing Robert and then covering up and lying) have shamed us as a nation.

I hope that this man's death haunts those people for the rest of their lives.

We need to keep our focus on the broader problem. The set-up of the airport and all the 'Mini-Homeland Security' nonsense that we have set up to tug our forelocks at the American War-mongers is at least in part to blame...the barriers to communicating with arriving passenger is part of that process and this is a common problem.

We need to rethink the culture of paranoia exported from the US - after all the hype is for the purpose of making neo-con corporations richer and the drum-beating is just done to scare the public into handing over their trillions of tax money.

Posted November 17, 2007 06:01 PM

As the video clearly shows, the RCMP was responsible for Mr. Dziekanski's death. The 4 officers involved should be charged with manslaughter.
But, there's plenty of blame to go around. Where was Canada Border Services in all of this? Here was a confused and distraught man wandering around a "secure area" of YVR for 8 to 10 hours and NOBODY tried to communicate with him and find out why he was still there? Are our "sit-on-our-fat-asses" Canada Customs people so incompetent? Why was no-one there to help him? If this is what they call "security", then Canada Customs (and the YVR security guards) are a pathetic joke.
Finally, the Vancouver Airport Authority has a lot of work to do if it hopes to deal with all the non-English speaking tourists who might still come to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics (despite this public relations fiasco). It is ridiculous that an airport the size of Vancouver's has no translation service for travellers! And people at the info kiosks who give out wrong information: "No, we didn't bother looking for your son, but we're sure he's not here!"
This whole unfortunate situation could have been prevented if someone at YVR had shown some compassion and human kindness. My heart goes out to Mr. Dziekanski's mother.

Posted November 17, 2007 05:55 PM

A taser review is not sufficient.
The RCMP need to be transparent and like any normal police force, need to be responsible to all of the public not just the Captains of Industry. They also need to be subject to the Justice system like every other citizen and every other policeman.
Enough of the internal reviews and military BS.
If they're not willing to undergo these changes then they should be eliminated and replaced with a normal police force.

Posted November 17, 2007 05:54 PM

When RCMP goes to MR Dziekanski, he spoke "POLICJA, POLICJA!!" it mean " help help!!" I think Mr Dziakanski was happy, satisfiet when he saw POLICE. 10 H on airport. he was lost, terrified, exhausted

Posted November 17, 2007 05:24 PM

Having been robbed at gunpoint (seriously) by the RCMP, having dealt with the VPD on numerous occasions and having a very long history in confronting authority I must say this is a disgrace. Being the first licensed medical cannabis grower in Canada, I've had my fair share of abuse at the hands of the supposed authorities. I am so glad that they didn't have tasers a few years back. I'd be dead since I've a small heart problem.
Tasers are for a substitute for LETHAL force, what the heck did this gentleman do to deserve death at the hands of these butchers? The RCMP are quickly losing face and maybe it's time to rethink policing in Canada. Dissolve the RCMP and let the idiots find useful to human jobs. I'm old enough to remember when 'police' were peace officers and they'd even, gasp...lead you home in your car if you'd had a few too many.
This country is falling apart, can't wait for them to toss out the poor and sick for the Olympics, that'll cause a flurry of letters to the CBC. What a waste of time.

Posted November 17, 2007 05:20 PM

I suspect this incident is more fallout from the reign of former RCMP Commisioner Guilano Zacchardelli. Under his watch the RCMP has done several unconscionable things, and the public has been losing the respect for the RCMP that we used to cherish.

Posted November 17, 2007 05:19 PM

It is a sad day for every Canadian. I have watched the full movie at least 3 times and each time I am filled with disgust. How 4 healthy trained police persons (I cannot bring myself to call them officers) could carry out such as action is beyond me. The Commissioner has urged Canadians to reserve judgment until we have all the facts. It is beyond me to imagine facts which could possibly justify such an action. The 4 RCMP constables have stained the nation.

Posted November 17, 2007 04:36 PM

As a second generation Canadian of Polish descent also,this whole tragedy to me is something in which every person that poor man's mother tried to get though to was so stupid, incompetant and useless in not getting her to her son. Whatever reason was
there in refusing to allow her into the area where her son was and detaining him in that area as well? I scanned YVR's site and they make NO mention of having any language interpeters at all. What a piss poor situation this whole thing was. Truly aggrivating and the security fellows were totally useless as well. Then along come the high and mighty RCMP "Billy Boys" swaggering along already having decided to tazer Robert Dzkanski before even meeting him. Proven fact as they were overheard saying as much.Being told he spoke no Engish did not seen to even fizz on them. They told him to put his hands on a counter top. He just raised his hands in defeat (and he thought when he first saw them that they might "help him" Oh, they helped him all right ..right out of this world! Tazered x2, writhing in pain and agony. Then one hulking brute of a cop pinned his knee into the back of his neck and head as he lay face down.Nobody did anything. "Stop, you fool, you,re kiling him.. he cannot breathe" If only someone had the courage to say that and bang on the glass.Then he was dead... treated worse than a dog. Shame on those 4 RCMP & much of YVR's staff. Unforgivabe until they face justice. This is tatamount to murder, not manslaughter. Wonder how they can sllep at night. If my maternal grandfather had seen this he would have been lllivid

Posted November 17, 2007 04:34 PM

I wish that the media would point out the entire story. There is nothing wrong with what the police did. If you watch the video. I mean watch it. You will see what the media is not pointing out. The fact that Mr.Dziekanski armed himself as the police arrived. Don't believe me? WATCH THE VIDEO. AT 6:53 into the video you can see a black metal object on the counter. Possibly a metal stapler. At 6:42 it is gone. Mr Dziekanski has picked it up and is ignoring police who you can see pointing for him to put it down. At 6:48 you can see it in his hand. It is very unfortunate that Mr.Dziekanski died but the police actions are not to blame.

Posted November 17, 2007 04:28 PM

I've on a few occasions encountered Canadian constables in my lifetime in Vancouver: none of them physical or violent as I was never doing anything which might provoke that kind of response or reaction. I think over the decades (I'm 47) the new generation of law enfocement in Canada is not as professional nor well trained. They seem to overreact on a regular basis along with relying heavily on hi tech in lieu of good judgement which would not seem necessary given the drop in crime stats. They always close ranks when accused of doing anything wrong but, they always did. The only effective way to prevent in custody deaths is to sanction civilian oversight of law enforcement in Canada as was done in Northern Ireland; put the human pit bulls on a short leash so they think carefully before belting, zapping or shooting someone. So many people nowadays take a job or pursue a career for the prestige factor and not out of genuine heart felt interest. As if there identity and self esteem totally depend upon it. So much has become superficial about Canadian society which is one reason why I would never attempt to start another business in this country.

Posted November 17, 2007 04:22 PM

The police should be chared with murder. This are the people that are inforcing the law and thay are just killing people with out reason, than lieing about it.

Posted November 17, 2007 04:18 PM

there is a condolance book at a sister station global bc.com , if any fellow canadians wish to sign to show support for this mother, i hope cbc will show this i know its global, but i think its an appropriate situation in this matter and circumstance ....thank-you

Posted November 17, 2007 04:14 PM

KUDOS TO RCMP for finally giving their head a shake and taking these members off active duty. "Bout darn time you did something that is sensible. What are they doing now? Pushing pencils or writing letters of condolences and how sorry they are to this gentlemans family here in BC and Poland!

Posted November 17, 2007 04:03 PM

After a couple of days of reflecting on the video released on Thursday I watched it again. I thought maybe, just maybe I had experienced a knee jerk reaction and in fact I wished that was so. Sadly it was not. I have read many of the comments and what stands out in most of the pro response supporters is they are missing the fact that Robert was in a very SECURE area of the airport, he was not out in the area where you can be met by family or friends. He was there for 10 (TEN) HOURS. I am not surprised by the response of the RCMP as I live in BC where there have been other questionable deaths or severe beatings by our National Police force. I am shocked, disgusted, sickened and feel very unsafe by the actions of those who work in that secured area. I left the country two days before the incident and returned a few weeks later. I saw the area and it is inconceivable to me how someone would be denied assistance for that long. Surely someone would notice and be concerned about the fact he was still there. For our National safety I would want someone to be concerned and to handle the matter in the proper way. Passports provide information....someone on hand who spoke multi languages or the ability to access such a person for such situations is essential in an INTERNATIONAL airport. Standing outside of the glassed area and observing this man would have given the RCMP a bit more understanding of the situation.
I will never be ashamed of being a Canadian but I will excercise the right I have to speak out against those who shame us. Today those are our Prime Minister, our National Police force, the YVR hierarchy and their employees in the secure Immigration area.
Stop the use of tasers NOW...provide the information and training to all concerned and STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.

My sincere condolences to Zophia, her family and her friends. Rest in peace Robert.

Posted November 17, 2007 04:00 PM

It is a tragedy but clearly they were trying to subdue him, not kill him, and he would not be subdued. Our view was blocked and I am not ready to condemn anyone based on the video. I expect it will be found that more force was used than was needed, but it looked like the force stopped when he stopped yelling and kicking. Those at the scene didn't assume he was dead based on the force used; I don't think we should assume so either without a proper inquiry.

Posted November 17, 2007 03:49 PM

It seemed the man made little threat to the three policeman I see in the video. At first when the police were standing about him he seemed rather subdued than violent. Really I cannot understand what prompted the police to use this intervention.

If the police were acting within their rights hopefully policy can be revised to ensure this tragic incident is be repeated.

Posted November 17, 2007 03:39 PM

Richard you are so RIGHT.....RCMP's theme is "LIE untill you die"....Shame on our priminister Harper....we need more guns and taser..lots of foregn people will arrive in 2010 so we have to be ready.....Shame on RCMP and Airport Authorities.I CALL THIS FUNDAMENTAL NEGLIGENCE FOR HUMAN LIFE.
One more Q: were the tapes destroyed or confiscated in secured area of the airport?????? FACT is that in every corner in secured areas are cameras ...and conveniently they were not working???Again bunch of LIES.
Good example to all of us. To those who is taking RCMP's and Airport side...shame on you......
Mrs Cisowski I hope you will have enough strength and good Lawyer to presecute them all. Do not settle out of court because that's what they are after now.

Posted November 17, 2007 03:31 PM

As a first generation Canadian, I can understand the difficulties immigrants have when they arrive to a new country. The actions of the four police officers involved in this incident were disturbing and excessive in all circumstances. Based on this information, there was clearly an intent to injure when no threat existed. Assault, negligence causing death, and possibly manslaughter come to mind as potential offense committed. It is imperative that there be a criminal investigation into this incident.

Posted November 17, 2007 03:29 PM

I was much more moved that I anticipated by this video. It is completely unacceptable that this happened in our country. How is it that we leave a man for hours without the chance to communicate with anyone in his own language, a language which is spoken by millions of people, even millions of Canadians? How is it that the people in attendance could not find even one person in the airport who was capable of performing this service?

Clearly one or two people in attendance during the video were properly concerned. Clearly also, as evidenced by the voices on the tape, there was a tendency for many of those in attendance to treat this as a spectacle - to view the man as a lunatic or on drugs, to consider him dangerous. This is a lesson for all of us. It is far too easy to treat this type of event as a spectacle.

We cannot allow this to go by lightly. We must assume responsibility as Canadians for a terrible injustice. We must do our best to make amends to the family. We must expel the four officers from the RCMP – they are a disgrace, they have been trained to do better. And we must learn what we can and pray that we individually are able to do better than those in attendance should we find ourselves in a similar situation.

Posted November 17, 2007 03:26 PM

Since this story broke I've been enraged,depressed,disgusted and haunted by the brutish behavior of these four 'thugs'....our supposedly trusted, loyal Royal Mounted Police! They should be stripped of their badges immediatlely and investigated.....You would assume the police would be trained in some psychology ...and what about some human kindness and compassion?....They make me sick. The Airport personnel were a bunch of losers too. How could someone not notice this poor man in the baggage area 'for-ever'...I can't go on.....

Posted November 17, 2007 03:22 PM

The rcmp is a badly flawed institution.
go back to Gustafsen Lake incident in BC

The force was caught both lying to the public and lying to
the courts.When is Wally Oppal going to stand up and
give us an independent review board on police conduct
and when is our inept opposition going to demand this.
Police investigating police, no way no more.

Posted November 17, 2007 03:15 PM

I've been with dying people before, but I've never seen someone killed. I know the officers did not intend to end this man's life, but intent offers poor protection from a taser's shock. We need to know what went wrong for this man in the hours leading up to his fatal encounter with those 4 officers. Surely our customs and airline officials could have intervened with interpretive and medical assistance long before this video was filmed. He must have been in distress for quite a while. Who chose to look the other way instead of helping?

I'm so sad for this man's family. We are better than this. We need to not only discipline whoever was involved in this man's death, we also need to implement policies to prevent such incidents from ever occurring again. Did you notice the Welcome sign above the room where this man died? Welcome to what?

Posted November 17, 2007 03:13 PM

RCMP shows no shame. The "so called officers" have been assigned to other duities... It's even possible that they will never pay for what they did...

Posted November 17, 2007 03:07 PM

A very serious issue revolves around RCMP honesty and credibility.
How have we arrived at this point in time where a senior RCMP officer can boldly stand in front of a live TV camera & tell all of us such a comprehensive pack of lies?
It takes attitude & skill to pull this off. Either he thinks we are all fools or is he so arrogant & confidant that he can just get away with it? How can this individual ever stand in a dock & offer evidence. How many other lies has he told? How many lies has he offered as evidence in court? If this individual had caught you doing 120 km in an 80 km zone who would believe him? How can we allow this individual to retain this position of trust? A wolf in sheep's attire - better still, a sheepdog's attire.

Posted November 17, 2007 02:58 PM

The fact is that innocent man was MURDERED and what Mr Harper is going to do about it. I think that RCMP and V-ver authorities are in HUGE fault...and should be sued to the fullest extent of the law for neglecting the hungry, thirsty , frustruated Polish man who did not speak a word of english and who wanted to reunite with his mother.How dare the RCMP made a comment about Mr Dziekanski that he was dangerous and speaking with a european accent. How stupid he-spokeman must feel for saying that before the video was handed to them. Truth always prevails.
How stupid RCMP is feeling now after watching it...but they had a great leader Mr Zaccardelli who though them well how to lie.
He was a lier himself..he lied under oath...so few RCMP officers had no regred for human life and still lied about the incident to save their assess.What kind of example we give to the next generation. SHAME ON YOU RCMP and AIRPORT authotities and especially those who told Mr Dziekanski's mother that he did not arrive nor moved their fat assess to look and help.
I came to this country 25 years ago and also waited 9 hours before some official came to tell us we have to wait for proper papers to be released for another 2 hours. Good thing I took some food from the airplane for me and my family or I would be also hungry thirsty and tired and believe me at some point I wanted to scream too because of it.
MY HEART GOES OUT TO MRS CISOWSKI MOTHER OF ROBERT DZIEKANSKI.
She just wanted to be with her son and somebody treated her badly...I know why ...because she spoke with heavy accent..that's why.
Shame on you whoever you are.
Some Canadians are very rasist especially against people of color and who have accent. Shame on them too.

Posted November 17, 2007 02:57 PM

The Vancouver Airport death is the ultimate display of arrogance & disdain for human life. This is the type of outrage that occurs in banana republics. In Canada we don’t even execute convicted murders because it is considered barbaric.
This man was in a confined space (could not run or hide) & had earlier in the day been through airport security, obviously he would not even have had a pair of scissors on him. How & why could 4 RCMP officers in be so ill-informed, callous & uncaring. How have we arrived at this place in time where police officers can abuse & torture an innocent unarmed man, who to start off, had both of his hands up in the air & who subsequently ends up writhing in pain on the floor, with 4 out-of-control officers kneeing & pummeling him?
How is it possible for 4 fit, healthy, young RCMP officers to arrive at a point where they all decide together that they are threatened by a slightly overweight, 40 year old unarmed man with his back to a counter & who has his hands up in the air. Not one of them had the leadership skills to call the others off. They acted like pack dogs.
No amount of training will compensate for an attitude problem. This is a clear case of reckless disregard & abuse of power.
It's utterly incomprehensible! Is this the evolving face of the RCMP? If so, it is the new picture of cowardice.
No amount of assurances & investigations by the RCMP will be good enough.
I hope that the international community holds our feet firmly to fire & that we all have the will, courage & fortitude to see justice done. We want justice.
My worse nightmare & fear is that convictions will not follow because the RCMP fools us all once more. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me!

Posted November 17, 2007 02:50 PM

I was stunned and horrified when I watched this video. As a healthcare provider my initial impression was that I was watching a person experiencing a delirium...someone in acute distress..disoriented..someone in need of assistance. Passersby attemped to calm him...and appealed to airport security to arrange for an interpreter. None of them appeared to feel threatened by him, and he is never seen attempting to harm anyone.
As the RCMP officers arrive one of them can clearly be heard requesting permission to use a taser..before even approaching the man. Onlookers repeatedly attempt to tell the officers that the man speaks no English. The officers appear to ignore this and instead proceed to taser him. While he is on the ground one officer picks up some kind of long instrument and seems to aggressively pound it in the vicinity of the man's head. Even when one officer is heard to say..code red...none of them attempt to revive the man.
I am at a complete loss to make any sense out of the actions of the officers..particularly of the officer who appears to act in such an aggressive manner. I am completely dismayed and horrified that such blatant police brutality could occur in a Canadian airport. I am completely dismayed that this human being was so obviously distresed and in need of assistance for a long period of time, and that there was no help available at the airport in a large Canadian city.
After watching the video, there is no doubt in my mind that criminal charges should be brought against the RCMP officers, and that protocols for dealing with situations in which interpreters are needed should be in place in all of our international airports

Posted November 17, 2007 02:36 PM

Code Red is right... RCMP is not above they law. They should be charged with first degree murder. A complete abuse of their authority. Actions do speak louder then words. Being stuck in a new country for 10 hours, with no way to communicate will cause anyone act out. They was no communication or attempt to communicate with the man.. preceived power took over and a man lost his life for it. Im sick at what i just saw..

Posted November 17, 2007 02:36 PM

Once again the Rcmp on a power trip. It absolutly makes me sick to watch this. I can guarentee this is happening all over but always seems to be "covered up" by our so called authorities. Well guess what boys???Not this time. I hope these Rcmp members are fired(without a severence or payout, that would be a novel idea) and charged with murder, as that is plainly what happened. There was not even a hint of remorse or an attempt to revive the victim. It makes me ill to think these are the people we are supposed to trust to protect us, and tell our children to respect. My prayers go out to the family of the victim, and no Rcmp that isn't you!

Posted November 17, 2007 02:33 PM

Evil dressed in police uniforms in action.

Posted November 17, 2007 02:15 PM

The key thing to consider is that the reason this incident has created such (justified) outrage is because it was captured on tape. If it hadn't been, then the gullible majority of the public simply would have once again accepted at face value the initial lies the rcmp told, lies about how the guy was resisting arrest, how they turned him on his side, tried to revive him, etc. Then there would have been the usual whitewash internal investigation, with the inevitable findings that proper procedure was followed, the police acted reasonably, etc. And that would be that.

Now, with the video so much in the public domain, a standard whitewash would only serve to furhter expose them as the utter liers they are. So I expect that this time some real consequences likely will follow. But it's really critical to consider that without the video it would be a pattern seen many times before. Hopefully, people will bear this in mind when considering all the other deaths of people at the hands of the RCMP, such as the man killed in police custody who -- according to the RCMP -- was shot by an officer who pointed a gun at the back of the man's head while the man was on top of him (hence essentially pointed the gun at himself) -- to give just one example. People need to develop a more critical attitude. This is going to happen again and the next time there may not be an independent witness brave enough to come forward, or brave enough to stop the cops from burrying his tape.

Posted November 17, 2007 02:01 PM

Salut

In the end, this is an accumulation of errors on all sides, until the last fatal error of not even trying to revive Robert...

Posthumous letter...

Dear Robert

I apologize, as a Canadian citizen and as a human compatriot, the despicable way the people at the Vancouver airport had treated you, and also how they had treated your mother ...

I know that it is now too late for you, you are no longer of this world ... But you are still in our midst, as much as your death is tragic, there is a bit of hope that can emerge from the inhumanity that you and your mother have faced ...

In your death you can remind the world, to everyone, that a simple gesture of kindness, of empathy, of human compassion of any of those who were working that day at the airport would be sufficient to nullify the tragedy that has followed ...

In hope that your death is an awakening for all those who know your tragic end to be more open to gestures of kindness ...

PPPPiiiiieeerreeeee

Posted November 17, 2007 02:00 PM

Since the murder was caught on tape all four should be tried for first degree murder and locked up for life in order to protect society.

Posted November 17, 2007 01:47 PM

In the past several years, hundreds of people in North America have been killed in Taser incidents. More horrifying is to see this supposedly "non-lethal" weapon in the inexpert hands of under-trained and unnecessarily aggressive police officers.
The clownish bully tactics of the 4 officers involved in Mr. Dziekanski's death are symptomatic of a general deterioration in the quality of Canadian law enforcement.
Canada's reputation deserves to be further tarnished, as it will be, by this bungling parody of Canadian security forces at work.
The only benefit of the sad and unnecessary death of Mr. Dziekanski is that it has been recorded and the public has been able to witness first-hand the lethal incompetence of the organizations intended to protect them.

Posted November 17, 2007 01:47 PM

firstly I wondered why Paul R. was videotaping the man?. He knew something was wrong yet "did nothing". If I was Paul I would have terrible guilt at my inaction for not trying to assist this man.

The Police----definelty an over reaction! The man had not posed a threat to anyone but himself, had no weapon, and was (probably) cut off from other people. In other words a "safe position". What was the blond cops baton doing going "up and down" near the man's head????

Basically I feel that "inaction" on the part of "many" people before the arrival of the Police did nothing to help this distraught man-----God help our society of 'cowards"! Gotta give credit to the "woman" in the film ---looks like she was trying to help---how come we don't hear more from her and efrom Paul P. and other inactive cowards?. S Mercer

Posted November 17, 2007 01:44 PM

Barbaric...plain and simple. A caged animal is offered more compassion and concern than this human being. Clearly the man's anxiety was extreme being in a country where he could not communicate, could not find a familiar face and could not begin to understand the whys of his confinement. Is this the way Canada wants to welcome it's immigrants?

Posted November 17, 2007 01:42 PM

With the video as the evidence, why the Polish government do not press criminal charges directly to the Canadian court? Can the Polish government request for the independent autopsy and bring him back to Poland? Can the Polish government ask for the extradition for the four police officers who killed their innocent citizen? Why the mother don't take the legal action against the government and the officers? What are they waiting for--The actions of years of inquiries by the Canadian government? It is a joke. I respect police officers, but this is about justice. The people and the government should pay for what they did to this man.

Posted November 17, 2007 01:40 PM

Another comment from a medical standpoint. Mr. D. was clearly distressed. He was hyperventilating, he was sweating and seemed confused when the other people in the arrivals area were trying to calm him - aside from the odd behaviour with the furniture he did not appear aggressive to people. Nurses, doctors and orderlies routinely manage people who have this kind of behaviour in emergency departments and hospital wards - and guess what - they have no weapons other than strength of numbers, mattress pads and the ability to communicate...they don't have guns or tasers...

The facts we know about his journey and his sojourn in the airport suggest that he was sleep-deprived, exhausted, dehydrated and likely hungry. In spite of his dehydration, he was sweating profusely.

When shot with the taser he started screaming in pain - the police officers have him on the ground and one of tehm places his full weight of his knee on Mr. D's neck just before he becomes unresponsive. The combined stress, dehydration and shock/fear increase the risk of cardiac rhythm abnormalities in response to 50,000 volts of electric current. Add pressure to the neck and one can trigger a massive vagal response (parasympathetic stimulus) and the scene is set for fatal cardiac arrythmia.

Then, the piece de resistance...the police are aware that he is unresponsive - there is mention of 'code red' in the audio portion of the video but NONE of these officers who are supposedly trained in basic CPR do anything to assist the man. They leave him prone which further restricts breathing and they seem more concerned about wrapping up their taser wires and collapsing their batons. They could have saved his life if they cared enough to act.

Posted November 17, 2007 01:39 PM

Let's see: An immigrant who just quit smoking the day before flies probably 10 hours or so to a country he's never been to and doesn't speak the language of, is detained for another 10 hours without food, water or translator there to help him. Then four police thugs/cowards come in and taser him to death within 2 minutes, without even properly assessing the situation.
Someone at the airport should have provided food and water to this man in distress and, if no translator was available, provided him with an electronic translation service. Anyone with access to a computer and an internet connection has access to a free translating service. This Polish man could have typed in the computer his questions, concerns, etc. in Polish and have it read by an airport staff member in English within 30 seconds. Communication with this poor man would have meant that he would have been reunited with his mother waiting in another room for him at the airport within minutes and he would have started a new life with his mother. Instead we get nazi-like gestapo troops , the RCMP, who abandon reason, intelligence, understanding and compassion in favour of stupidity and a 'just-following-procedure' mentality.

How can people now believe the VPD version of events, without witnesses or video evidence, when they dragged an unconscious First Nations man, Frank Paul, out of the vancouver police station to let him die of hypothermia in the cold rain in the middle of a winter night in a back alley in Vancouver's downtown eastside? No wonder the first nations community has no confidence in the police. The police literally get away with murder on a regular basis.
What is going to happen when citizens from all over the world fly into Vancouver airport for the 2010 Olympics? God help the ones that get lost in the airport and don't speak English. Perhaps they should just stay home. After this incident, I would think many of them would.

Posted November 17, 2007 01:32 PM

As my first comment wasn't posted, I'll try again.

In the last three and a half years about a million Polish people have come to live and work in Britain, a great number of whom do not speak English. None of them has experienced a welcome anything like this tough.

One Polish man arrives in Canada, the second largest country on earth, with only half the population of Britain, and is treated worse than an animal would be. O Friendly Canada, where the cops murder immigrants for fun.

My own experience of Vancouver Airport is that Canadian Immigration are suspicious and hostile to all visitors (even tourists with a return ticket). In the case of Robert Dziekanski, someone there will have stamped his POLISH passport, so it should have been obvious where he was from. Are the immigration officials *that* stupid they couldn't figure that out?

Until I heard about this, I would give your country the benefit of the doubt. All I can say now is that you Canadians think that you are morally superior to your southern neighbours but you are not. Unless these police officers are charged with murder and your immigration officials learn to treat foreigners as human beings, I shall boycott Canada and urge others to do the same.

Posted November 17, 2007 01:32 PM

From my limited contact experience with Canadian authorities I am not surprised but still moved with discussed event. My impression is that Canadian authorities (police force and any other government employees) have no proper training or they are truly people without much human filings.

Posted November 17, 2007 01:24 PM

RCMP members across this country should be ashamed. One can see in plain view what happened to this man. I am truly apalled at what i saw with my children. It just urked the heck out of me to watch a man die like this for no apparent reason. So now .. why are these 4 RCMP members still at large and still working. Are they still using the "slogan" to serve and protect? I think not! SHAME ON YOU! Its a shame that a mother has to take her son's remains to Poland. There is no need that a parent has to bury their child. The burial and death was so unneccessary. Its a sad situation for the family, but still sadder yet that we have men on our national police force do this and get away with it. Never mind the fact that other officers should be speaking up and demanding action from their bosses and dealing with this matter from the public outrage fastly and swiftly.

Posted November 17, 2007 01:14 PM

I saw the video and i beliewe RCMP officers could arrest him
easly,they were four officer and the victim was not armed.

Posted November 17, 2007 01:13 PM

This video shows how not to manage a crisis situation. I have participated in crisis response training for police officers - (I am a psychiatrist) and the officers involved clearly didn't know any of the basics of appropriate crisis response.

Another peice to be taken from this incident is how much Canadians have given up in our rush to appease the American Homeland Security Freaks - bear in mind that 'security' is the cover-word for passing out rich contracts to big corporations that have gotten supremely rich from the "war on terror".(Read The Shock Doctrine - Naomi Klein)

The YVR RCMP officers made a good show of acting like Blackhawk-trained bullies.

If we weren't constantly inventing more and more cumbersome levels of fake security would this incident have even happened? The idea that patting and stripping 85year-old ladies and taking away their little bottles of lotion is going to make us all safer is NUTS!! The average security person at the airport doesn't know what they are looking for and have no idea how the supposed materials are going to be used. (Look up chappati flour bombs on google - the info there shows that though making a bomb from hydrogen peroxide and other materials is possible it takes many hours and can't be completed on the average long-haul flight without good lab equipment)

Lots of pretend security with little effect but we create a culture of fear and over-reaction....a culture that is clearly affecting our police (RCMP and others)to the point where ordinary people who are in distress can't get the help they need.

Posted November 17, 2007 01:13 PM

To me, these four so-called policemen seem like four cowards rearing to use their shiny new Tasers. The murdered victim was hyperventilating and deeply anguished. Are policemen now taught to disregard people as fellow humans and think of them instead as targets to be brought down as savage prey, unworthy of compassion? Country and property were defended! Good for the RCMP! Damn the dead. He was only Polish.

Fortunately, as Laura says (Nov.17, 12:15 PM), these four cowards didn't have to "mess up their hair".

Posted November 17, 2007 12:59 PM

I am a Canadian and from now on am ashamed to be this nationality! And as Canadians, we have the obligation to return the justice to this poor man and his family by DEMANDING a formal trial on the four officers and the RCMP as a whole. If you are a Canadian, write to your MP, Attorney General, or anybody you can think of to demand such. These questions MUST be answered:

1. The issue is NOT the use of the tasers, but what warranted its use in that situation. It is obviously not for defend but more for abusive fun!
2. The first shot was obviously already effective. What warranted the second, or even the third and the fourth shorts?
3. When the victum already stoped breathing, why the airport medical personnels were not called but instead waited for over 10 minutes for the ambulance to arrive?
4. During the waiting, why the 4 officers did not try to revive his life? Can this alone be charged with criminal negligence given their police training?
5. Perhaps this last one is the most serious one. Given that the tape had already been in the custody of the RCMP, they definitely had full access to its content (but not us at that time). Then why the version of the story given by the police is completely contradict to what we later saw on the video? Lack of information is not an excuse (they have the tape already). It is clearly a lie and a cover-up attempt. An independent parliamentary committee should be formed to investigate, not the deeds committed by the 4 officers but the large-scale cover up attempt by the RCMP.

Posted November 17, 2007 12:57 PM

i am sickened by the idiotic comments of support for the rcmp and the blaming of this man for his own death, first of all, if any citizen did what these so called peace officers did you would be in jail minimally for assault, second you would be charged criminaly, third of all what gave the rcmp the right to walk up to a man taser him and jump on his throat and head which contributed to his death no doubt , you supporters are classless canadians, never mind the fact the rcmp lied to the citizens of this country and blamed this man for his own death knowing full well that they had this video, and it scares me to think of the fact that these 4 criminals are still on the job. every citizen of this country is responsible for their own actions , so what makes these 4 men so special, ohhh i forgot a badge to kill is what!

Posted November 17, 2007 12:44 PM

This video shows exactly how this poor, overwrought man was
MURDERED!!! Horrifying to watch.
This man was MURDERED by uneducated, poorly trained RCMP. I am ashamed of the these (so-called) officers for their brutal force on someone who didn't "resist arrest" as a spokesperson for the RCMP stated, nor did he "fight with the officers" either. These men pinned him to the ground and were all around his head. Anyone really surprised he died??!! HE COULD NOT BREATH!
SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!

Posted November 17, 2007 12:40 PM

It is with profound pain and anger that I write few words. As an immigrant woman and mother of two children I am shocked to see how the Canadian system abuse of power is terrible. We should not only question the teaser or its use rather we should expose police brutality and the abuse of power. Once more I feel powerless with a conservative government which do not make its system accountable.

Posted November 17, 2007 12:36 PM

There is a prerequisite in using a teaser gun, you have to use your brain first!!!

Posted November 17, 2007 12:36 PM

KEEP THIS IN MIND THAT VANCOVER WILL BE HOSTING 2010 OLYMPIC. IS THIS THE WAY THEY ARE GOING TO WELCOMING PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD. WHAT WAS ALSO SHOCKING FROM THAT VIDEO WAS THAT IT HAPPEND IN ONE OF THE MOST IMMIGRATION FRIENDLY CITY.

Posted November 17, 2007 12:15 PM

What a volume of views on this incident...it took me ten minutes to scroll to the "post a comment"! That is awesome! Good God, my friends, what have we witnessed here! Four big, burly RCMP guys bringing down an innocent man before our eyes. He was not a threat! He just came through immigration...how could he be a threat? Total disgust is all I can muster for their approach. Were they afraid of messing up their hair, or whatever? Don't you try all avenues before reaching for that tech toy? I didn't see any physical contact to control the man. Come on, people, lets continue to raise the roof on matters so ridiculous. And we won't be fooled by the excuses that will keep coming from the force...we know what we've seen, right?

Laura

Posted November 17, 2007 12:15 PM

AFTER READING MOST OF THE COMMENTS,AND HAVING WORKED,WITH NUMEROUS,
POLICE FORCES,RCMP,PROVINCIAL POLICE DEPT,AND IN VIEW OF THE VIDEO
AT THE VANCOUVER AIRPORT.I AM IN THE OPINION,THAT THESES POLICE OFFICERS,SHOULD BE TAKEN,OFF DUTY,UNTIL A PROPER AND INDEPENDANT
REVIEW IS CONDUCTED,AND EITHER DISMISSAL,FROM THE POLICE FORCE,OR AQUITTAL! THE VIDEO CLEARLY SHOWS,THAT ONE TASER WAS SUFFICIENT,AND
WAS IN THIS CASE NOT WARRANTED.THE VANCOUVER AIPORT,HAS A DUTY TO HIRE,AND TRAIN MULTILANGUAL INTERPRETERS,SO THIS TRAGEDY DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN,ESPECIALLY,NOW THAT WE WILL BE INVITING THE WORLD FOR 2010.TO BE A POLICE OFFICER IS NOT ALWAYS AN EASY TASK.BUT THE USE OF TASER,SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.OR IF IT IS THE OFFICER SHOULD BE TRAINED PROPERLY,AND USE IT ONLY,WHEN THE LIFE OF THE OFFICER IS AT RISK.WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE HERE.THE POLICE OFFICER FROM NY,CLEARLY
SAID IT.AS FOR CATHY FROM BACK EAST AND JOE FROM CALGARY.YOU ARE WRONG.WE ALSO CRY WHEN A POLICE OFFICER IS TAKEN DOWN.AND WE SEEK JUSTICE.NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO DIE.I HAVE TRHU MY TRAVELS IN ALBERTA
NOTICED FIRST HAND.POLICE BRUTALITY,ESPECIALLY IN EDMONTON AND CALGARY.THIS HOWEVER MEANS THAT,THERE IS NOT,ANY GOOD CPOS OUT THERE.LOTS OF THEM,WILL RISK THEIR LIFE,FOR US.THE SOLUTION IS TO
TRAIN,NOT ONLY BETTER COPS,BUT ALSO BETTER SECURITY GUARD,AND BORDER
GUARDS.IN CLOSING BRING US BACK THE TRUST,IN ALL POLICE FORCES,IN
CANADA,AND FOR THAT MATTER AROUND THE WORLD.

Posted November 17, 2007 12:01 PM

CANADA- so uncivilized, brutal and unhumanitarian province in the western World!!!
CANADA- answer THESE QUESTIONS!!:

1. WHY was that murdered man kept for 10 hours in the isolated area????
2. WHY did that murdered man get no food and drink for 10 hours???!!!
3. WHY did that murdered man get no translator???!!
4. WHY nobody informed his mother asking for him at the airport for so many hours????!!!

THIS IS HOW canada WELCOMES NEW IMMIGRANTS!!!

NEW IMMIGRANTS!!- WAKE UP!!

THIS IS WHAT IS WAITING FOR YOU IN canada AFTER COMING HERE.

READ CAREFULLY THIS WEBPAGE TO SEE HOW canada TREATS NEW IMMIGRANTS:

notcanada.net

YOU WILL BE SHOCKED WHAT THEY DO TO IMMIGRANTS!!!!!!!

Posted November 17, 2007 11:56 AM

Sympathy to the poor man... I thought Canada is a peaceful country which is free from discrimination and brutal violence. The police were brutal to a poor foreigner. So sad.. Canada is not the country I had ever imagined..

Posted November 17, 2007 11:50 AM

Pretty sad when it takes 4 BIG rcmp officers and a taser to bring one average size unarmed person down. Its quite apparent that the 4 officers safety is not compromised here. How much more black and white can it be? Let alone the taser and when they sit on the guy which ultimately kills him. This video is extremely disturbing. Nice to see the people who are suppose to serve and uphold our laws killing people with EXCESSIVE FORCE and not making any attempt/effort to resolve this situation in a peaceful manner. I hope these rcmp officers are disciplined and are held criminally responsible for their actions. Maybe they should have excessive force used on them for punishment. My thoughts go out to this mans family. I would hope the actions of a few Canadians (not sure if they are) (THE 4 rcmp officers IN THE VIDEO) dont reflect upon the rest of us Canucks. Unfortunately when one is given power,(that of the rcmp) psychologically it impacts their mentalemotional ability to have a professional prospective on situation(s) (goes to their head) These individuals ("members") acted in an unprofessional manner. As an individual i'm all for supporting the people who uphold the law etc etc but when the power that is given by the Gov't of Canada goes to THEIR heads and impacts their professional ability to do their job this concerns me. Its kind of Ironic! (see the above) I hope something positive comes out of this extremely negative incident.

Posted November 17, 2007 11:43 AM

I've posted two comments on this site in the last two days. Neither has appeared yet. And the counter keeps going up even though no new postings have appeared. Is the CBC overwhelmed? As for the terrible incident itself, I've been amazed to find that the four heroic RCMP officers are still on duty. At the airport? That should make us all feel safer. Write to your MP, the PM, Gordon Campbell etc. It's easy to do. They're all on line these days. Oh, and have a lot at the RCMP website. Is there any mention of this, despite the international fallout over it? Hmm.

Posted November 17, 2007 11:42 AM

If I speak only English and decide to go on a violent and obviously delusional rampage in a Polish airport, I'm taking some severe chances with my health. If the police show up (see I'm smart and know who the police are in any country due to their fancy clothes and guns), I would probably not resist/put my hands up. That is if they don't assume I'm a terrorist first and shoot me on site to protect the innocent in a post-9/11 airport. And so they should.

I agree, take away the Taser from the police since we can't understand it or take the time to educate ourselves with the 99 % no injury rate (and the 1% medical reaction = 100 % media focus). Take away those Tasers and leave the only option to a) beat the combative suspects with an extendable steel baton and cause serious injury/death every time or b) shoot them. It's the combative person that decides the level of force to be used. Let him choose that instead. I'll vote for it.

Posted November 17, 2007 11:40 AM

FIRST WORLD CLASS LEVEL CIVILIZED COUNTRY...NONE COULD THINK GIVE A PEN AND PAPER AND TRANSLATE IT? ...BETTER GIVE HIM A TEASER SHOT THAN A CHANCE TO COMUNICATE...I´LL RECONSIDERATE TRAVEL TO CANADA BECAUSE THE COP/THUG GORILLAS ARE AS DANGEROUS THAN IN MEXICO...

Posted November 17, 2007 11:37 AM

Unbelievable that killing of a landed immigrant happened in Canada. Or perhaps not so unbelievable for anybody who is a hyphenated Canadian travelling quite often from Pearson International. So many scenes of police, security and immigration assuming that all those who want to come here must be plotting something against Canada or are inferior or defenseless or simply stupid... so the reception is prepared accordingly. Translators or interpreters are never around but even after several years of living here questions about where I was, whom I met, where I work, what I do... nobody does this in Europe, nobody does in in japan, China, Brazil. O.K., it is a quite common practice in U.S.
As to the killing at Vancouver Airport, I do not believe that the justice in this country is prepared to face the facts, judge and convict those responsible. Remember Air India bombing?

Posted November 17, 2007 10:59 AM

After watching the video I was reminded of a "swarming" that we hear about usually involving teenagers. Now we see what goes on between the police and citizens when they think no one is watching. Thank goodness for Paul Pritchard having his camera that day!

Posted November 17, 2007 10:54 AM

This video was very disturbing to watch - particularly so as I had already heard the outcome on CBC news - and was aware how it would end.

This man's laboured breathing and confused mental state make it immediately obvious that he is unwell. Anyone can see that he is not some violent criminal - but a sick and disoriented man.

Congratulations to the kind woman who tried to soothe him with words. Thank you to the gentleman who videotaped this whole incident. How else would we know how incompetently this situation was managed? I have every respect for RCMP and Police Officers to protect others and themselves from violent attack. But their actions were entirely unwarrented given anything visible on this video record.

Any person with basic crisis training would know that the appropriate response would be to surround him at a small distance - and to talk with him until back-up was available - to then ask / help and / for safely force him to a confining ambulance stretcher or whatever - for transport to a hospital or some other assessment facility. Any one of these officers could have easily been designated to stand by and to be prepared to use force should a weapon appear or should someone have been placed in immediate danger.

This tradgedy has nothing to do with tasers. It has to do with poorly trained officers managing a crisis situation in an arrogant, incompetent and reckless manner. In another day - the same outcome would have occured with billy clubs or revolver.

No thanks to the RCMP spin doctors who are telling us to disbelieve what is painfully apparent. Once you take your early retirement - you have a future in public relations for the tobacco industry!

Posted November 17, 2007 10:38 AM

He is inside Airport security. How could he be armed!!!

4 armed officers don't want take the time, and would rather play with their cool toys is what it looks like to me. They must have been in Tim Horton's and didn't want their coffee to get cold.

Don't just blame the RCMP, this kind of thing is seen all the time from police and security forces all over the world. Abuse of authority and lack of compassion is too common with the power given to police. Stop hiring gung ho wana be types and hire real professionals. I know they aren't all bad, but one is too many. Police need to individually stop protecting each others careers and protect the citizens!

Posted November 17, 2007 10:27 AM

What a disgusting thing RCMP have done yet again.
Seems RCMP are above the law and can do what ever they want and get away with it, over & over & over again.
When are they going to be held accountable for their un-lawful actions.
They should be charged and thrown in jail for murder.
I hope they are proud of themselves as no other Canadian is, we are all ashamed of their actions, i know i am. :(

Posted November 17, 2007 10:11 AM

First and foremost my condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

Its unfortunate that so many people here have voiced such strong and disrespectful opionions of what happened without really knowing anything. Yes, I saw the video, but there was something wrong with this man. The question is how wrong and what was he capable of?

Sure lets ban Tasers, how do you think future scenarios where they might have been used would play out.

For those so enraged by this how would you have approached the situation? After all, its an airport, serious stuff, you can't even joke about bombs etc.

And finally, yes, there were four officers, but what awaited the first one in?

Posted November 17, 2007 10:11 AM

I have been visiting British Columbia for pleasure and business for the last 38 years. I have used VFR as both an arrival and departure airport. Since I live close to Vancouver, I listen to CBC regularly and heard about this event on the radio when it happened.

My girlfriend and I have just viewed the video of the brutal attack on the Polish man at VFR by over aggressive and obviously UNTRAINED "police officers". Four men on one and they needed to use a TASER? within 45 seconds of an encounter? No questions, no attempt to help an obviously distressed man? In a "civilized" society this is simply called MURDER. The so called "officer" or "officers" that fired the Taser should be charged with 2nd degree murder. If the RCMP and the Provincial Government lets these criminals go without conviction, it will be another example of police brutality to go unpunished. These so called "servants of the people" are supposed trusted, the truth is: they cannot.The world has seen this abuse by these criminals, citizens of the world deserve better than to travel to a "civilized" country and be brutally killed upon arrival.

Credit is due to the person that filmed this brutal murder, the world will hold Canada accountable for this attack.
You can bet, the next time I cross that border, I will be very aware that my life could be endangered by the national police.

Jack Spriggs Anacortes, WA

Posted November 17, 2007 09:54 AM

There is a growing number of cases were people Die in the hands of Cops that can litterally get away with Murder . They can take out frustrations or prejudice in the name of the law . Too many cases of "victums" being shot in the back of the head , in custody , and dismissed as self defence seem to be more frquent . I believe this is sending the wrong message to all the force, new and old .
The self rightous do gooders who feel suspects get what they deserve should pay heed , it can happen to anyone, and will only get worse. After all who are you going to believe the lying Cop or the dead guy ??? Get your stories straight boys , don't worry this too will be swept under the rug !!

Posted November 17, 2007 09:33 AM

I think its ridiculous that the video was aired on television. When have they ever shown a video of a man's death. And why now, before all the investigations are completed. I'm somewhat disgusted with Global and how they have released information and dealt with this matter in such a skewed manner. Have they looked into how many times the tazer has been used since its start compared to the number of deaths? I'm sure it would be interesting. Or how about the time it took for medical attention to get there? Or why the this man wasn't seen on the security video and assisted? It doesn't all fall on the police.

Posted November 17, 2007 09:32 AM

Action Speaks Louder Than Words.
This not depends on any "nation", but it’s about human beings.

If we are prosecuting and jailing people for killing animals in Canada, what does Justice has to do with these four “officers” and their superiors - who authorize the use of Teasers in our society?

Maybe a Teaser Public Inquiry, with an independent and serious investigation, could reveal very sad private interests behind the acquisition of this killing toy…

Are Canadian values and beliefs just becoming rhetoric to serve political and few private interests?

To Canadian Politicians and Authorities: Action Speaks Louder Than Words. Kindness and sympathy instead of stupidity and brutality!

Posted November 17, 2007 09:31 AM

Someone wrote " From what I see occurring in the video I believe the RCMP were doing what was necessary to subdue the individual." 1st it was not nesicarry to subdue him as he was not being violent, even backing off from thier aggresive movements, and 2nd even if they were to subdue him, there was absolutely no need to use a taser with 4 trained big men against one tired lost confused man. If they need to use tasers for this situation then what situation will they not need to use them for?

"My sympathy to the mans family, and the RCMP for what they will have to endure."
If you say sympathy for those so called police then you spit in the face of the man's family. Why would you give sympathy to them, they are the criminals here.

Posted November 17, 2007 09:30 AM

All of this in a city that is going to host the Olympics?

Ten hours in the airport and YVR procedures and Canadian Customs and Immigration can not find out what language he speaks? ALL Canadians should be ashamed. It is time for a serious review of YVR procedures for handling new arrivals, Canadian Customs and Immigration for identifying people's languages and providing translation services and finally the RCMP process of investigating themselves must be completely changed to a transparent, public process. It is a shameful time to be a Canadian.

Posted November 17, 2007 09:29 AM

hey guys, look this is the "standard practise" of our famous RCMP,
these pigs are good at nothing. only in issuing speeding ticket, you only see police at downslope of the hill, but you'll never see police officers at uphill.
these police officers should be trial in Poland, for excessive and
brutal use of forces on innocent victim, the video clearly shown
that this innocent man needs help, but instead was treated as
criminal or terrorist or something. SHAME on you RCMP!!

Posted November 17, 2007 09:27 AM

The criminal act committed by the 4 so called police officers in question is simply unexcusable and is truly a national disgrace seen by many on the global stage.
Their brainless actions supports the growing trend of more and more "losers" who can not succeed in a real job, can become a power tripping person in so called "authority" who are armed with
Taser's that are nothing more than the cheapest and easiest strong arm option made available to more and more police officers not physically able and/or capable of doing the sometimes unavoidable physical tasks required to be an effective police officer.
It is clear these 4 incompetent RCMP imbelzeles in question are nothing more than cowards and from watching the video, I suggest that placing lifesized RCMP cut-outs in visible locations in an airport would do a better job and maintain a more professional image.
To now hear, the so called "inqury" is now being put off until the spring or early summer only smacks of complete buracratic bull sh-t and yet again highlights the RCMP's inability or desire to do the right thing.
DISMISS, CHARGE and TRIAL the 4 as soon as possible as to stop the mockery of the unfortunate Polish gentleman who meet his untimely dimise in the hands of our once honarable national police force, the RCMP

Posted November 17, 2007 09:25 AM

Utterly abhorrent, barbaric, and, un-Canadian. Shame. Shame. Shame.

Posted November 17, 2007 09:20 AM

GIVE IT A REST. The RCMP did their jobs. I'm not ashamed of them, I'm ashamed of the over-zealous media and public... and their consistant tendancy to critisize what they don't fully understand. IF the RCMP did anything wrong it will be addressed, in the mean time there are far more important things the cbc and other media outlets could be spending their time and energy on. Most of the people on this post speak and think so highly of themselves, but their own lives would not stand up to 5 minutes of public scruitiny. Sure the actual death is unfortunate, but suck it up and get on with your own lives and responsibilities.

Posted November 17, 2007 09:11 AM

Obviously the overwhelming feeling out there is one of disgust and condemnation towards the RCMP. Why? Why such a lack of empathy for the officer's situation? Did everyone who has written in know this Polish man? Did everyone but the police know that he was "harmless", just simply "agitated" after a long flight?
The officers arrived at a scene where an unknown person was expressing violent and unreasonable emotions and wasn't showing any sign of calming down. Are they supposed to walk up and chat with him? Give him a hug?
They've been equipped with a tool that most of the time immediately shuts down a situation with minimal harm or injury to anyone involved and it takes all the guess work out of what they're dealing with. Unfortunately there are tragic cases where it goes wrong such as in this situation.
Think about airbags, tragically the airbag kills and injures in a small percentage of the times it's used but the vast majority of the time it saves lives. However, in the early days people hollered for their abolishment because someone died. Nobody thought about the thousands saved.
It's a tragic situation for this man's family but I firmly believe the RCMP are being abused quite unnecessarily. Perhaps a bit more training is required but these guys put it on the line every day for all of us.

Posted November 17, 2007 09:02 AM

Wow - my first feelings when I saw this video were of shock and disgust. The man was terrified and no one could help him - instead he was shocked to death. A leading country of peace at a major Canadian airport - and no one could even provide someone to talk to him.. You cannot tell me there was not a single person employed at the airport who spoke Polish. My heart goes out to his mother who is not only in pain from losing her son but will be reliving that video every day. And why did no one from the airport staff even try and direct him from the beginning as to where to go? He was held at the airport for a few hours - so they did obviously know that he spoke no english.

Shame on the airport staff. Shame on the officers involved. Shame on the system. I love Canada - but things like this should not happen and someone WILL HAVE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE.

Posted November 17, 2007 08:57 AM

It'a a shame for Canada, a country of Immigrants. Innocent person, exosted after traveling for almost 24 hours, without English and without any help from airport authorities, is being killed by RCMP. It's tragic. This video distributed through internet is being viewed by anyone in the world. The image of Canada is certainly gone. Wasn't Vancouver selected as the best place to live in the last few years???
I expect from Canadian goverment independent investigations as soon as possible, not next spring or summer, and hope that airport authorities and four RCMPs will be punished. Shame, shame, shame!!!

Posted November 17, 2007 08:35 AM

When I look at the video I see what seems to be the man being hit with three good hits of a baton. By the position of his body it looks like he is being hit close to the head. One solution for the future: Have pictures of flags and let the person point to the proper flag and have an interpreter ready (by telephone or if one is available in the airport) to communicate with the person. Without prosecuting your bullies Canada, or having a fair trial, you are giving them a licence to kill.

Posted November 17, 2007 08:27 AM

How many realize that Taser has been accused of giving kickbacks to police forces, and who knows what gifts to politicians to look the other way. If true, no wonder police forces across cities have been so eager to embrace this still controversial new tool.

For decades, responsible police officers were able to use skill and training to subdue disturbed individuals, generally without resorting to guns. It still happens every day in Europe. So, why are tasers suddenly necessary here? Has society really become that much more violent, or is this just another excuse to justify thoussands of dollars spent on a new electric gadget?

There have also been other 'non-lethal' devices invented, why this one? Why are so many in official positions always quick to defend the taser, despite the growing number of suspicious deaths during it's use

As always, if you want the truth, just 'follow the money'

Posted November 17, 2007 08:25 AM

No, Chad, it is very obvious, the guy at the airport was no threat, the gal with the cell phone on the video even to0ld the police, he is not dagerous. He can't speak English. The translation of what he said in Polish "help, when he held his hadns up. He tried desparately to convey his frustration - never flown on plane before, he was waiting for his mother.
Problem here, numerous times he tried to talk to someone, why DID NONE IN THE AIRPORT ASK FOR HIS PASSPORT TO UNDERSTAND HIM BETTER.
RCMP WRONG DOING? BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT!!!! AND IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME PEOPLE HAVE DIED AT THE HANDS OF TASER HAPPY POLICE OFFICERS!!! THEY HAVE TO BE BANNED. AND OF COURSE, IF YOU ARE A POLICE OR RCMP YOU COVER YOUR TRAIL - STICK TOGETHER - POLICE COVER UP IS COMMON!!!
I HAVE BEEN A STRONG SUPPOTER OF THE CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT - BUT IF THE FINANCE MINISTER DOES NOT BAN THE USE OF TASERS THEY SURE AS HELL WON'T SEE ANOTHER PENNY FROM ME!!!
THE VERY FAACT THAT THEPOLICE DIDN'T WANT TO RETURN THE VIDEO TO ITS OWNER - PROVESPOLICE FUDGUNG EVIDENCE.
GO CHECK ON THE WEB OF HUMDREDS OF UNCALLED FOR TASERING THAT'S GOING ON - POLICE HAVE NO ACCOUNTABILITY TO SOCIETY - NO WONDER SOME GET GUNNED DOWN! THEY TASER FIRST THEN ASK QUESTIONS!!!!!!
I HAVE NO RESECT FOR ANY POLICE OR RCMP!

Posted November 17, 2007 08:21 AM

the missed beating death of the tasered man

hi i have been a bit frustrated not being able to get ahold of someone to add a piece of news everyone seems to have missed if you watch the video and start at 8min and 23sec of the full footage from cbc you will notice an officer at the right of the video with a baton and it looks like he proceeds to hit the man in the head over and over at this point the man stops struggling and it is also the point the police stop trying to hold the man down moments later they are calling for help as the man has died.

i can't understand why no one has noticed this part.

Posted November 17, 2007 08:11 AM

Taser's are non-lethal. Too bad the guy died, but he should never have acted the way he did. Would you like to be on a plane with this "poor man"! I don't think so!

Posted November 17, 2007 08:04 AM

Should they have waited for a translator and had him possibly shoot someone in the mean time....hmmmmm...what would you all of said then.

"The police should have done something sooner!!"

Bunch of idiots we have in Canada!! Protect yourself next time you need help!!

Posted November 17, 2007 08:02 AM

It's either taser or shoot them....you pick!!

Posted November 17, 2007 07:59 AM

If one was arriving from a country shaking off hundreds of years of police brutality, two world wars, extreme political ideologies, and saw beefy, well-armed men in uniforms approaching obviously looking by every intent to cause serious harm, one has the perfect fascist scenario happening. The poor hapless man did not deserve death. Canada does not need such men who break the absolute law of honor to all life.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:56 AM

Many Airport security in the US, and now apparently in Canada, have been trained by Blackwater, and all travellers are considered suspects with no rights, to be treated as aggressively as an illegal foreign combatant.

Most are unaware that citizens and visitors alike lose all rights the minute they step onto airport ground. You cannot assume due process, access to an attorney and other legal niceties we take for granted. Some say that the lack of respect for the individual, the unusual harshness is part of a deliberate re-education process into the increasingly militarized and regulated society that our leaders have envisioned for us.

To those who say that airports are not the place to become agitated - or to be human, confused, frightened or tired - I can only point out that most of these flagrant abuses of traveller and passenger rights have been justified by the events of 9/11. However, not one of those hijackers threw a fit in an airport, or in any way attracted any attention to themselves. In fact, I would suspect that any would-be terrorist threat might go out of their way to maintain a cool collected demeanor.

In the United States, numerous people have been injured, detained without rights and have even died at the hands of airport security in the new police state that country is becoming. It's a shame to see Canadians, basking in their glorious new Conservative government and $300 tax cuts, so eager to follow the path of the neo conservative mentality which has been so successful in eliminating the rights of the individual the States.

Viva the North American union.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:51 AM

The RCMP should be as embarrassed and ashamed of their conduct as Canadians are with them. 17 deaths now from tasers and this last one was clearly unnecessary. A full inquiry should be held leading to possible criminal charges against the RCMP, and a country-wide ban on tasers.
The inhumane statement from the manufacturer of these things is appalling. This is what they have said today:

"Cardiac arrest caused by electrical current is immediate. The video of the incident at the Vancouver airport indicates that the subject was continuing to fight well after the Taser application. This continuing struggle could not be possible if the subject died as a result of the Taser device electrical current causing cardiac arrest. His continuing struggle is proof that the Taser device was not the cause of his death."

------------------

Since when is convulsing after being electrocuted with one of these weapons seen as proof that he continued to struggle?? Simply a disgusting statement.

The entire RCMP organization, every Member is now tainted by the senseless and inappropriate actions of the four who killed this man. Now look at some of the recent history of the RCMP:

1)they were the agency that botched the Air India investigation, indirectly contributing to that disaster to occurring
2) they turned a blind eye or silently approved of Mahar Harar being sent to Syria for torture by the U.S.
3) thru there own lack of adequate backup procedures, two young officers have been killed in northern communities while patrolling on their own
4) Four officers in the Vancouver airport walk up to an unarmed man from another country who is just confused and scared over his situation, instantly determine that they should use a 'shoot first, ask questions later' policy.

The RCMP serge uniform now unofficially represents shame, not pride. No longer considered 'Royal' in any sense ... maybe it's time to disband the RCMP.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:40 AM

Disgusting and brutal display! These four individuals should be brought up on charges and prosecuted. They murdered this poor guy! Surely the four of them are capable of restraining an unarmed man without electrocuting him several times, then four of them holding him down in such a brutual way. They murdered a guy who's only crime was not being able to speak English and throwing furniture! I am appaled, disgusted and outraged. Again, they couldn't cuff an unarmed man without this barbaric weapon???? Shame, shame, shame!

Posted November 17, 2007 07:38 AM

To protect and serve. That's the police motto right? Well, if the cops are going to protect me like those cops on the video, then we are all in trouble. Maybe the police need to change their motto to "beat and kill" instead.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:20 AM

Can the police really use the excuse that they needed to use the taser because they don't know what threat they may be presented with? What I see is four burly gestapo overwhelming and execeuting an overweight, middle aged man who has just arrived in Canada via an international flight. To suspect him of being in posession of a lethal weapon doesn't speak highly of our post 911 anti terrorism measures that we have paid millions of dollars to implement. What was he going to pull on them, a set of plastic nail clippers?

Posted November 17, 2007 07:18 AM

Everyone at Vancouver International Airport who came in contact with either Mr Dziekanski OR his mother during the time after his arrival and the time of his death should be asking themselves why they didn't help. EVERYONE, from the flight attendants on his flight, the staff at the information booth, the security officers, to the cleaning people in the washroom, to the general public. These two people's only goal was to be reunited with each other and a simple act of kindness from just one person that day would have changed the outcome of this story. The tragic circumstances of this completely unnecessary death show that we all need to just take a little more time in our busy lives to help people who so clearly need help.
Something good will come from this eventually. But we can start today to remember Robert by showing the rest of the world we are a country of caring, friendly people. When you see someone who needs help, take a few minutes to find out what you can do for them. It may change their lives forever.

Posted November 17, 2007 07:13 AM

This is absolutely discusting. I lost all the trust in RCMP. Shouldn't big airport such Vancouver have employees with a different language knowledge? Not everybody speak English. If this country can accomodate people from China, India, Korea etc who have a language barrier why not Polish. I'm sure there is a big Polish Community in Vancouver as well. I just feel a very small effort on the part of Vancover airport officials to solve the problem such as communication.
This reminds me one of my experiences in the past, when my parents were held over 2 hours at the emigration office in Toronto Airport. My father is fluent in French and they could not find anybody to speak the language. Hard to believe, right?
As for the RCMP in this case - they murdered him and I hope the mother of Mr. Dziekanski will sue their pants of.
O CANADA

Posted November 17, 2007 07:11 AM

I find it offensive that RCMP are telling people not to judge based on the video alone. Like they think Canadians are idiots and not able to make an edcuated decision based on visual evidence. Wasn't it once said that a picture is worth 1000 words. Clearly there was no threat to 4 RCMP officers who could have easily taken him down with manpower alone. Did they simply want to practice? Or are their jobs so boring that they needed some excitement in their lives? They need to be held accountable for their deplorable actions. It is not the RCMP who failed....it is 4 young men that appear to have just received their badges, making bad decisions. They kind of resembled high school kids at a fight egging it on and getting a kick out of it. Probably one of the most sickening abuses of power I have seen!

Posted November 17, 2007 06:37 AM

For the first time in 63 years, I was truly ashamed of being a Canadian. Your interviews with this poor man's mother and the local Polish-Canadian in Kamloops arranging his memorial, both brought me to tears.

I've been concerned about the Taser for some time and deeply unsettled that its use can result in the death of an innocent, but out-of-control fellow citizen—for what ever reason! I'm not aware of pepper spray causing this same damage, but what has happened to policemen with the skill and training to isolate someone in distress and 'talk them down'.

With 17 deaths in Canada attributed to this dangerous 'toy', one is left asking: how many others have been attacked by some over-zealous bully, keen to see the effects of this 'safe and essential law-enforcing tool'?

It’s time for the Taser to be completely banned, or at the very least limited to use by a very few specialists who also have extensive training in other forms of more compassionate control.

G. Milner

Posted November 17, 2007 06:37 AM

I was appalled at the way everyone,especially the R.C.M.P. handled this situation.My condolences to his poor family

Posted November 17, 2007 06:32 AM

" SALUTE "A gesture of RESPECT or Greeting !! That was all the RCMP had to do for Robert and point towards a chair. This is known in every country in the WORLD . Even tho Robert did not know our language the Salute would have calmed him down, instead the RCMP MURDERED HIM . " Can I teaze him " The video shows it all .

Posted November 17, 2007 06:23 AM

I am an American with a Polish wife. My father in law and mother in law could have easily been in the same situation as they speak no English. I am disgusted and outraged by this. Two of those officers alone should have been properly trained to control this man using simple strength and handcuffs. Though I love Cananda I can't help but have the decision to stay away from Vancouver and the RCMP wherever I see them.

Posted November 17, 2007 06:18 AM

I'm so sad (Polish-Canadian)my relatives from Poland just cancelled visit to Canada. They ask us to visit them instead , in Poland, They are afraid to come here (for 1 month only) they do not speak english.Do we have to speak spanish when we go to Mexico or German when we go to Germany........ this is sick.

Posted November 17, 2007 06:17 AM

Appalled and ashamed.

The RCMP officers behaved like a bunch of street bullies. No procedures, no common sense, no humanity. Because they were on duty it feels like we tax-payers pay them to do such things! No we don't and we won't.
You here about various incidents from Arar case to those in which RCMP officers got involved and eventually killed. To me there is one root cause to all this: poor culture, gross incompetence and complacency within this organization.

A serious reform is urgently necessary.

Until then I want a full independent inquiry into this and justice for Robert and his family.

Posted November 17, 2007 06:14 AM

What I find troubling after watching this video, is that I feel unsafe. My feeling is that there is nothing guaranteeing me that I won’t get harmed at the hands of an over-zealous police officer if I cross the street at the wrong place or if I drive a few kilometres over the speed limit.

You might say this is over the top, but clearly, Mr. Dziekanski posed no threat to these four officers. He was scared and needed help; the police came and killed him. It’s sad to come to the realization that when we are scared and in need of help in Canada, we will hesitate to call upon those who are paid to serve and protect us because we are afraid they will hurt or kill us and then lie about it.

Posted November 17, 2007 06:07 AM

WOW, I don't wanna take sides, as I know all most of us weren't there and don't know the complete story but some facts remain;

4 'trained' RCMP officers against 1 unknown agitated individual.

Very quickly and with due cause, determine they must 'detain' the individual, Fine.

Talk to and attempt to get the individual to surrender, Fine.

Individual doesn't seem to comply? Need to use force, Fine.

Pick your latest weapon du jour and shoot the guy with a stun gun, Fine.

Subject on the ground and still 'resisting'? (I use the term loosely here as I'm sure with 100,000volts shooting through your body the last thing you're gonna be able to do fold your arms neatly behind your back) Need to shoot him again, Fine.

Pile-on and with due force, attempt handcuff the individual, Fine.

Stand around like a bunch of tools and watch while this man dies?? Yup that's the ticket!
This is the problem I think most of us are having right now, that and for the rest of my life question these officer's integrity.

Posted November 17, 2007 06:07 AM

I'm disturbed for 3rd day after watching that killing, really I feel sick, I decided that when i'll travel to Europe i will use EU passport. What a schame to be Canadian now.

Posted November 17, 2007 05:46 AM

I found this situation very disturbing after viewing the video. Although the details are sketchy at best, and only few people are privy to the exact details, it seems as though this individual did not pose a substantial threat to four fully armed police officers.

What's more is that evidence clearly shows the compassion of innocent bystandards to understand this man's trepidation during this ordeal. Numerous comments were heard regarding this man's inability to understand English, and that an interpreter should be brought in.

Although there are clear signs of aggression; the throwing of the computer, table, etc., there is nothing to suggest this man had the intent on harming anyone around him. It is also clear that the Police had the intent to use a Taser even before they confronted him in the secure area to which he was occupying. As stated in multiple press reports, it appeared that the man was willing adhere to the police presence by walking away from them, and then backing himself into the counter.

Again, No one, including myself that writes these posts have the right to slam the police or airport officials for what transpired that day as we were not 'flies on the wall' during this ordeal. That being said, I believe more options should have been exhausted before a Taser was utilized, as I do believe they escalated use of force too hastily.

According to press reports, this individual had been at the airport for quite some time. You'd think someone who spoke Polish would have been available to him when the situation originally began after he stepped off the plane.

I hope that the care and concern displayed by those people that observed this incident, is understood by those who were close to this man. Canadian citizens are known for their compassion for people in distress, and that is clearly evident here.

I guess we will all have to wait for the full analysis of the circumstances before any real conclusions can be drawn.

Posted November 17, 2007 05:33 AM

1. I have been happy to hear about the possibility to travel to Canada without visas and started to plan a travel. Now I know it is too early when I see what had happened at the airport. Being from "eastern block" was a bad diagnose for those idiot policemen. The USE OF ELECTRICAL DEVICE IN THE HANDS OF POLICE WAS INAPPROPRIATE REACTION TO THE SITUATION. The level of countermeasures did not comply with the level of threat. I would expect the presence of human being (psychologist) trying to negotiate and translator.
2. My deep coordial fellings are flying to the relatives of dead passenger
3. As to the ethics of selling the video and use of money I have came to decision. In my humble opinion this does not contradict any ethical aspect. (Thinking about less ethics on the buyers side and those who "consume" the product of buyer where the responsibility is spread. Sorry.)

Posted November 17, 2007 04:56 AM

Numberous things went through my mind as I watched this video. Imagine yourself going to a strange country where you don't speak the same language. Imagine being out of your comfort zone and not understanding anything that's being said to you.
The poor man was likely terrified. Then to be stuck there for 10 hours and have no understanding as to why???? Helloooooo! Even Aliant/Bell has interpreters available through their services. There must have been some way during that time to find someone to help him.
Shame on the AIRPORT personel for not acting proactively in this case.
As for the RCMP...it did appear that he calmed down. He was still unable to communicate, yet four against one, they pinned him down and electrocuted him.
So, yes, they likely didn't intend to murder him. It was manslaughter plain and simple.
What was worse than anything on that video was my impatience as I waited for someone to perform CPR. There appeared to be no panic, no remorse, just a sense of "oh well...now what?"
My sympathies go out to the RCMP officers who obviously lacked training in proper use of the taser and will have to live with their bad judgement, the families of the officers who will likely suffer the consequences and most of all to the family of the victim.
I have no doubt that he needed to be subdued. He was acting violently. BUT, the entire situation could and should have been avoided simply by finding a Polish interpreter or allowing his mother to act as interpreter on his behalf.
I'm ashamed and disgusted with the lack of better judgement.
More than anything, I pity those involved because no one person is guilty for this situation. It was a group effort by all involved. They will all have their remorse to endure.

If tasers are that deadly, our RCMP/police should be taught to respect the dangers and risks involved with using them. They wouldn't pull out a gun under those circumstances, but the result was just as bad.

Posted November 17, 2007 04:53 AM

Its funny how we can all judge....Put yourself in any police officers shoes and think how you would make a decision or a difference. I don't agree with everything the police do but I do agree with protecting all citizens. What would you think if you were in that airport with your family? I know that my kids would be scared shitless with this man running around. Its sad with the outcome, and my prayers are with the family. I've had two friends, two well respective police officers in alberta recently Die because they took the situation they were in to lightly. They didn't make split decisions and ended up died, shot without a chance to ask questions. I pitty all who can judge peoples actions without ever being in that kind of situation. Remember some day you'll need the police and how would you like them to react with your life being threatened, do you want them to stand around and wait for the outcome, or would you want them neutralize the situation......thats what I thought...

Posted November 17, 2007 04:50 AM

Down South he probably would have been shot before he picked up the chair or computer.

It was not the intention of the officers to kill the man.

Posted November 17, 2007 04:32 AM

Clearly this is murder. Sometimes we need aggressive police to handly threatening situations (without a taser), and to manage out of control situations preferably again without a taser. If there is doubt that a situation can be resolved, then backups should be called, and only at a last resort, a taser should be used. These four police were not threatened. The situation most likely would have been resolved without any force, and certainly without the police's new toy, the taser. The man is aggitated and confused. If he meant harm to anyone, he would have attacked, or threatened to attack a bystander, or security, or police. He did not. The police in this case are unfit for their profession. The Vancouver airport must have had several resources to communicate with this man. I understand his mother was even at the airport. The police should be charged (and convicted based on this video and eyewitness accounts)of murder, and the Vancouver airport security should be charged as accessories. Some country this is !

Posted November 17, 2007 04:25 AM

I didn't notice anyone administering CPR on the guy. What's up with that?

Posted November 17, 2007 04:15 AM

What kind of police officers (4 of them, no less) cannot control a confused man without 1st Tasering him like an animal. Actually, they would not be doing this to a confused wild animal running in town, but a human being, that's fair game.

This is a great example of small minds attracted to positions of power and what happens when they get there.

Posted November 17, 2007 04:07 AM

As a Canadian, I am deeply ashamed by the brutal and frankly primitive treatment of the poor man, who was clearly confused, tired and frustrated by his absurdly long wait for help. What a fine welcome to Canada!

Posted November 17, 2007 03:39 AM

I am absolutely shocked at what has happened. This man was scared and confused. His mom worked 2 jobs for 7 years just to pay for his ticket to Canada. He flew for the first time (NEVER having seen the inside of an airport), was held up at customs and immigrations, not being able to speak English, not knowing where to go to meet his mother. I can't believe security let him stand by the luggage carousel for hours! After 30 hours of total shock, wouldn't you be breathing heavy and wanting to break a dumb chair?
This is a very serious tragedy. Not only should the RCMP be punished, but the airport staff and security need to be heavily investigated as well.

Posted November 17, 2007 02:28 AM

The funny thing is that many keep referring to see all this in context. Or this was a good one, let the police do their job. (WONDER IF THEY ARE COPS?) Or to wait for the coroner's inquest which will bring things to light. Or how we the public are just uninformed. I even heard one police officer in a radio interview say that investigators haven't any assumptions or bias as he contrasted them with the general public. Which, need I point out, is both an assumption and a bias? In the end, the police, in my opinion, do well to point out that even a camera has a bias but then fail to admit that they too are limited in their perspective. Unfortunately,we may never get the full picture. However, as with all studies, a conclusion must be made.

Furthermore, a coroners inquest can do no more than make non binding recommendations! We found that out in the Ian Bush incident.

Clearly, the authorities would rather have this whole thing go away! Sadly, none, it seems, are concerned about things such as accountability, transparency and compassion. Why should they? Because, a man has lost his life! Because, it appears others failed to handle his life with care! And finally because it will only serve to make the RCMP better and the public more supportive.

Posted November 17, 2007 02:24 AM

I am disgusted and appalled by the actions of these four officers, as well as the attempted cover-up by the RCMP official.

My heart is filled with RAGE after watching how the four 'trained' officers callously engaged Mr.Dziekanski.

To Mr.Dziekanski's Mother and family, my deepest condolences, may justice be yours.

Posted November 17, 2007 01:48 AM

It seems to me that the cops own spokesman before this video has aired, by implication, has shown that it would be only reasonable and should be expected for the officers to have tried to interact with this individual.

"They found the man in the secure area with his luggage cart and chairs set around him," said RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Pierre Lemaitre right after Dziekanski's death.

"They tried to do the same thing, communicate with him. Chairs went flying, he grabbed the computer off a desk and threw that. They weren't getting through to this guy and the violence, again, escalating."

But What do we see? Police officers who are intent on barking orders to try and intimidate a man into submission. Even the police officers are aware that the man couldn't speak english! In fact, all they knew was that he spoke russian. He was responsive to a defenseless woman! He was in a controlled environment! What did they successfully do but exacerbate the situation within thirty seconds of their arrival.

I agree that being a police officer is a thankless role and we should support them but to not allow them to be scrutinized...? I think that with a role with this much responsibility should come a higher standard and to suggest that we should shut up because we aren't all cops. Its true we do need people to serve in this manner but don't forget that you also need us to do our job in order to pay your salary. You need us just as much. We all can't play cops and robbers!

Posted November 17, 2007 01:47 AM

If Paul Pritchard has not seen and taken the video, we would never know the truth, which would have been hided/locked in the dark forever!
Someone called the four RCMP "pigs", no, pigs are much more bright, kind, thoughtful than them!

Shamed on the four RCMP killers! especially the one who gave the order of shooting. They should be prosecuted and put in jail! I believe, even they were "protected"and "washed" clear by certain interests group, they would never live in peace, their lives have been changed from the moment they took an innocent life. They would live in repenting, self-blaming and stress for their whole life......

"O Canada"!
........
"God keep our land glorious and free!!!!!!"

Posted November 17, 2007 01:25 AM

Unreal. Just brutal. He never had a chance. The cops just walked up to him, surrounded him forcing him back then tasered him 3-4 times.

Posted November 17, 2007 01:24 AM

I'm not Polish, but my wife came from Poland. I do have a defibrillator implanted in my chest to assist my heart. If I was zapped by a tazer, I would be dead on the first shot.

Having been married to a wonderful Polish woman since 1991 and around many Canadians of Polish heritage (not to mention my Polish in-laws still living in Poland) I feel that I do understand what that man was feeling. And everything that happened in the video was handled wrongly. He was frantic. Unable to communicate with anyone in English. Not knowing where his mother was, not having eaten or drank anything, the long hours of waiting took it's toll on a very frustrated man. He wanted someone to assist him, but no one helped him or his mother.

Those four officers should be on trial for manslaughter at the very least (after having been stripped of being a police officer). Tazers should be outlawed, as it was too powerful a temptation for these officers to immediately resort to without just cause.

If I had a flesh wound from a bullet, I would have a colossally much better chance of survival than if I were hit in the same spot by a tazer (regarding my medical situation).

Apologies from anyone will never be enough to ease a mother's grief, let alone the grief of all who share in it. We need an independent external investigation process and get these four behind bars.

I am not, nor ever will be ashamed to be a Canadian. I am angered at, and ashamed of, those four officers and those who try to diminish the truth and redirect the blame.

I'm not aboriginal myself. But perhaps now that officers have killed a white man, the abusive members of the RCMP can no longer feel immune the next time they try to abuse their authority. It was always so criminal how often aboriginals were abused and the truth buried and ignored. Sadly, it may take a white man's death to be the catalyst for change that should have come long ago.

Posted November 17, 2007 01:16 AM

I was shocked by what happened on the Polish immigrant in his final moment in Vancouver International Airport when I watched the horrible video with my colleagues in office on Thursday morning. What a heartbreaking event! How brutal and cold-blooded the four RCMP officers!
A new immigrant who had had 24 hours flight trip, then was stuck in airport for over 10 hours, no one understood and helped him and no one he could talk to.....tired, hungry, thirsty, exhausted, lonely, hopeless, frustrated.....you wanted him to behaviour like a gentleman in a business party?! how many of us can hold or keep our temper if we experienced what he experienced?!
What make me feel sad and outrage is. his dream, with his life, ended just at the entrance of his dreamed land, where he just and first landed;his life was taken by "body guards";his asking for a hand and requiring for help was replied/responsed by the hits and attacks from 8 hands and feet!
Do not tell me that the video is just a part of whole event. 10 minutes! long enough to tell us what exactly happened there! Nothing is not clear!
Dziekanski's behavior was strange but understandable, in that kind of situation, it was normal reaction. Well, the four RCMP guys' actions was "excessively brutal and unjustified",as the spokesman for the Polish Foreign Ministry said, and unreasonable! What Dziekanski did was losing temper, throwing a chair, then what else?! did he threat anyone? did he take a weapon? Why did not the RCMP try to find out why he lost his temper? He did not fight, right? Even he fighted, they could have use pepper spray or other similar means.....

Posted November 17, 2007 01:14 AM

The video shows what happened at Vancouver airport on October 14th.It is not one mans view, it is what actually happened as the video shows.

What I don't understand is that the airport security and the RCMP did not attempt to question the man before Tasering him and kneeling on his head and neck. It seemed pretty brutal. Why wouldn't the RCMP talk to the people in the area before going into see the man? The man walked away from the RCMP not towards them. As for the folding table incidence it did not appear as a violent act but a scared and frustrated act. It is obvious the man was frustrated and scared.

There are ways to ask what language a person speaks by talking to him and repeating the names of many languages which might have made him realize that the RCMP wanted to help.

Can you imagine how he would feel after all that wait, not finding his mother and then having 4 RCMP's coming towards and no one even trying to communicate with him before tasering him within seconds of getting there?

I believe the RCMP over reacted to a situation that was not life threatening to them. I realize that the RCMP deals with many different situations but they need to be able to recognize someone being frustrated, scared and not being able to speak the English language. It is apparent in the video that he was wandering around in confusion.

I wonder what the RCMP would have said happened if it had not been filmed. Even though it was on camera it was still said it was one man's view...the fact is it was the camera's view.

To the RCMP it was only a man acting out... but to his mother it was her only son...

What has happened to our world...what happened to communication?
It appears to me that this could have been prevented by the airport employees taking more interest in helping this mother find her son.

Posted November 17, 2007 01:13 AM

Kudos to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary for taking a lead role in this issue and suspending the use of Tasers pending further review. I would really like to see other forces, city and provincial, do the same. Actions like the RNC's would help to salvage Canada's tarnished reputation on the world stage.

Posted November 17, 2007 01:06 AM

Why isn't more being made of the shocking bureacratic indifference of the airport border authorities who refused to help Mr. Dziekanski's distraught mother find her son in the airport. All they had to do was ask the immigration officials if they had processed his arrival. Or search the area where he was for a lost or disoriented person before turning her away to drive 5 hours (?) all the way back to Kamloops and giving her the impression he hadn't arrived yet. And surely airport staff could have approached Mr. Dziekanski and offered help to a disoriented man. YVR and Canadian Border Security should be held accountable--this is trade-mark Canadian power-tripping bureaucratic indifference. I see it at all levels of Canadian life as a recent immigrant--from the doctor's office staff to the border authorities--and I cannot separate it from the horrific fate of Mr. Robert Dziekanski, a victim of bureaucratic passivity and indifference ... and ultimately brute cruelty and cowardice by the RCMP.

Posted November 17, 2007 01:00 AM

What a sad way to end, trapped at the foreign airport forever and in pain. I can not get over this sick feeling over unnecessary loss of this poor man's life. His only problem was that he was only a human and not a robot.
Vancouver is trying to impress the world with it's impressive airport building and image, but how cold and misleading is all that after this tragedy.

Posted November 17, 2007 12:57 AM

For shame.

While the rest of government continues to dump all of our social ills and bankrupt policy onto the streets, the police have been given the impossible assignment of cleaning up this horrific mess.

Excessive use of force is a well-recognized response to the stress of the escalating drug war, a rising illegal gun culture, the grim spate of recent killings of RCMP officers, and increasing pressures on police to deal with the homeless, addicts, domestic violence offenders, and street racers.

We must remember that not 3 years ago we lost another Robert to a Taser in Vancouver, the son of Ms.Riki Bagnell. And we did nothing then.

Governments make empty entreaties for "civility" and the police brass demand results and foist new toys on officers, while failing to reenforce the message that caution and restraint are the hallmarks of good policing.

It took the videotaped beating of Rodney King and the horrible riots that followed to reform both the policing AND governance of LA.

I call on all of the citizens to BC to turn out now in support of both Ms. Bagnell and Ms. Zofia Cisowski, and show how much we truly care to halt our rising culture of criminality, brutality, random violence, inadequate court punishments, and the total lack of accountability within our government and systems of justice.

We owe a duty to act to all of the families of these casualties, a duty to demand better policy and to see it through. We must take to the streets--not as occurred in LA--but to walk together toward system-wide reform.

It is more than Canada's reputation that we have lost; it is a living, breathing human being whose only fault was to dream of living near his mother, and being a neighbour to all of us.

Posted November 17, 2007 12:43 AM

What people have to realise is that we're alll looking at the event and reflecting on what we've seen and heard AFTER the event. Let's put ourselves back into their positions from the video. The officers and the staff of YVR in the video do NOT know that he had been at the airport for 10 hours. Nor do they know that he is a new immigrant or that he cannot speak English (there didn't seem to be an attempt at communication from the airport authorities). They do not know anything about this man but the fact that he is acting strange (why would you put chairs to keep the door open and why did he not exit that section of the airport?) and that he threw some furniture around.

Now, with these adjusted conditions of the event, knowing that the RCMP know NOTHING about what we know, we'll bring the RCMP into the scene. We do not know if the RCMP had viewed a video surveillence camera, but we do know that they were notified, likely by radio, of the entire event unfolding through the VAA.

Ok, we understand that the RCMP did not have prior knowledge of the event and only know of it through radio communication (and possibly video). That STILL does NOT justify their actions upon arrival! We all know not to mess around with airport security, but seriously, any trained person (whether it be security or customer service) will assess any 'strange' situation would first ALWAYS ask questions and SEE FOR YOURSELF what the situation is! If I just arrived, I would DEFINITELY be asking the witnesses and the VAA what was happening. I would also CLEAR THE PUBLIC from the scene and of course, it would include Mr. Pritchard recording the incident. Then, approach the man and assess what was ACTUALLY going on. Obviously, he is not armed if he needs to throw furniture around for attention.

Again, looking at it without prior knowledge of events still does NOT justify their actions.

Posted November 17, 2007 12:33 AM

Shame on RCMP, shame on Vancouver Airport, shame on the Canadian Immigration department.
Forcing a human being to wait for such a long time and not make an effort to assist him and ease his hardship, and then having 4 "mucho men" kill him without trying to talk to him for longer then a minute, and at the end not even give him first aid...
And we keep bragging how civilized and humane we Canadians are.
And these government agencies...I have had past experiences with very long waits for new immigrants that were held by the Immigration at YVR, usually without any good reason, just because they can...and when you try to offer assistance with the language they spoke...you just get ignored.
And it was just last week RCMP killed another young Polish man when their cruiser slammed into his car in Burnaby, BC.
I am so ashamed to be a Vancouverite and Canadian at this time.

Posted November 17, 2007 12:30 AM

Steve (above),
why aren't yOu a police officer, big and strong, smart and calm, so that use Tasers only where they would otherwise have to use their guns (MAKING A MEAR $65,000 A YEAR). Because you are willing to let other Canadian do your dirty work for you, place their lives on the line daily and then you have the nerve to critisize. Shame on you for calling youself a Canadian!!!!!!!!

Posted November 17, 2007 12:24 AM

I felt sick to my stomach after watching the video of Mr.Dzeikenski,a poor frightened man and his ultimate and untimely death.
To think that something like this could happen in a so-called civilized country. Oh, I was disgusted and ashamed. It seems our police can come into a situation and without so much as trying to calm the man down, deliberately taser him not once, but twice. He had no weapon and posed no threat to four policemen!!! What a cruel and despicable act. Have we become no more than animals. And the security guards what are they there for? They were useless. Could they not have tried to get an interpreter or if nothing else a cup of coffee for the visibly shaken and upset man. They did nothing to ease Mr. Dzeikenski's anxiety or distress. Shouldn't they be prepared to handle situations like this? I think Mr. Dzeikenski's fate was primarily caused because he couldn't speak English and no one bothered to find out why he was so disturbed. What a dark day for the province.
Since 17 deaths have occurred across Canada surely an investigation is long overdue. How many more have to die before something is done? If we want to regain our status as a welcoming, peaceful country then we'd better do the right thing, ban the taser and charge the policemen. Or are they above the law?

Posted November 17, 2007 12:16 AM

This was a clear example of "murder by cop"; I guess these thugs have not heard of the motto "To Serve and Protect". The persons responsible for this unecessary death should be criminally prosecuted. The attempt by the force tro "cover up" what happened tarnishes the credibility of the entire force. How can we believe anything they say? It certainly causes me to question the prposterous stories they told after the death (murder) of Ian Bush.

Some say there training was not adequate; anyone with an iota of common sense knows that FOUR RCMP officers aided by THREE security guards could have handlewd a distraught, exhausted traveller in the high security zone at the airport without shooting him; it is not a training issue; it's a common sense and judgement issue.

To those who say the taser did not kill him I have his to say: he was alive before he was shot with cumulatively 150,000 vols of electricity.

F. Johnson

Posted November 17, 2007 12:16 AM

I never thought I'd say I was ashamed of the RCMP. The actions of those 4 men were cruel & unjustified & I hope they are held responsible. Had anyone offered that poor man the directions to a washroom; a sandwich & coffee? YVR staff messed THAT up big time. But an older woman calmed him down! Bless her for trying to help.

This brings shame on us all. But sweep it under the carpet & put on your best face for the Olympics. No wonder there are folks who are hiding in caves waiting to leave this world, it's like this all over. God forgive us all.

Posted November 17, 2007 12:13 AM

My deepest sympathy to his mom. I hope she would never know in her life time about the existence of this video. It was already sad enough that she was not able to greet and embrace her beloved son in her arms at the airport. Imagine how she would feel had she even watched this video.

This whole incident is so shocking, terrifying and ridiculous. Four RCMPs pinched down and tasered an innocent visitor to death, who came to Canada to join his mom and who might just be feeling angry and frustrated because of long waiting and having language barrier problem. It was just that simple.

After watching the video, it makes me think the RCMPs should be the main ones responsible for the tragedy, but then when I think it over agian, it was mainly because of the very very bad service of the poorly trained Vancouver Airport staff, that led to the happening of this tragedy. The RCMPs might have used unnecessary force but had they not been called in, this tragedy would not even have happened.

Had the Vancouver Airport staff shown a little bit more concern and provided a little bit better service to this poor visitor by escorting him out to meet his mom, the whole incident would have a happy ending. That's why I think this whole incident is so ridiculous.

If I were his mom, I would definitely try to file lawsuits on both parties: the Vancouver Airport staff and the RCMPs for causing the death of her son.

Posted November 17, 2007 12:09 AM

What gets into men (and woemn) when they put a uniform on and walk with their unformed colleagues carrying weapons? These officers walk and act like they have impunity, total rights, no respect for 'the other'. Did it make their contempt for this other greater that he couldn't speak their language? You can say that it was an 'accident' but that's really just not good enough. People, in uniform especially, can't go around killing other people with no need to answer for their actions. These officers should be put in desk jobs for the rest of their careers. And that is the least of what should be done to them.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:51 PM

Ok, here's a tip for anyone arriving at any airport in Canada:

If you arrive at the Canadian airport and the person you're supposed to meet is not there to greet you, simply pick up a telephone and call that person. Please do not start throwing computers and chairs around in a secure area. Please do not stand there with a chair in your hand screaming at people. You may find this hard to believe, but throwing chairs and computers around and screaming at people in a secure area will give the impression that you are a violent and dangerous person. The police will be called. Be advised that when the police arrive they will not stand there and smile at you. They will subdue you very quickly, and the fastest way for them to accomplish this is to use a taser gun.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:48 PM

I have the utmost respect for all those who put themselves on the line--sometimes paying the highest price--for the safety of us all, but this is sickening. Having trained in the art of self-defense, I know the two golden rules: 1) Talk your way out first; force is always the last resort. 2) If force is necessary, use only as much as is required to defeat the attack. This video shows that these officers broke both rules, and it cost this poor man his life. I feel great sorrow for the victim and his family, as well as for the RCMP, that proud and illustrious national institution, which has been so badly tarnished by this travesty. I can only hope that these trigger-happy cowboys will be held accountable for their crime and for the damage they've done to this man, his family, and the reputation of the RCMP. Tasers should be treated with the same respect as guns.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:45 PM

Watching the video it appears that the blond haired thug (cop) repeatedly, visciously, jabbed this poor man in the head with a baton. This occurs towards the end of the video after he's been tasered and has the other thugs (cops) kneeling on him as he's laying on the ground. I wonder if the autopsy will reveal the resulting head wounds? The RCMP are out of control in BC. Including this incident there are two other recent ones that have been in the news: (Lower Mainland: 2 drunk off duty RCMP thugs pick fights and attack people, no assault charges, minor slap on wrist / Kamloops: man is in a diabetic, low blood sugar situation, looses control of vehicle. RCMP thug shows up, orders man out of his truck, man doesn't respond as he's having a medical situation, RCMP thug starts beating the man about the head and chest as he attemps to drag him out of the vehicle. Luckily another, more reasonable RCMP officer showed up and prevented any more violence perpetrated against this innocent individual by the RCMP thug. Once again just a slap on this thug's wrist. I hope all these victims sue big time!

Posted November 16, 2007 11:38 PM

My sympathies go out to the family and don't believe that what happened was the right way to approach the situation. However, in regard to the use of tasers, one must remember that they are the alternative to handguns which are much more lethal.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:19 PM

I think the person said it best who said the man should have been offered a coffee and a sandwich. A genuine courtesy of some kind might have gone a long way to resolving the situation. Instead, he was offered coldness, brutality, and death. If this video had come from an airport in the States, it would be viewed as a despicable act. And so it is in Canada.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:13 PM

I am disgusted from the four RCMP officers and their “approach” to the 40-year-old Polish immigrant. Watching the video, I couldn’t believe my eyes that such execution can occur in a country such as Canada. The killing of Robert Dziekanski is in the world news and in particular in the EU and is seen only one way: as a summary execution of an innocent man for the crime of not knowing English, for not understanding what the officers were shouting at him, being extremely tired after lengthy flight and 10 hours wait at the airport, being disoriented and for being a stranger and new immigrant. We Canadians like to think of ourselves as a nation that welcomes new immigrants but it seems the reality is different – the most recent example is Mr. Dziekanski being tasered and killed by the police. The incident is excessively brutal and unjustified. Canada is being promoted and known as a multicultural and democratic country where our Rights and Freedoms are guaranteed but incidents like Mr. Dziekanski’s taser death and the increasing crime rate, will change Canada's image as a country with opportunities for “new life”. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Schedule B, PART I, Legal Rights section, Paragraph 7 says: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice” – so maybe these 4 police officers took the “justice” in their hands. Paragraph 12 from the same Act states: “Everyone has the right not to be subjected to any cruel and unusual treatment or punishment”. My question here is how Mr. Dziekanski’s legal rights were protected when the police used force against him and tasered him?
Definitely now after November 14, I feel less proud to be a Canadian and I do hope that the four RCMP officers will get adequate punishment for their action, and somehow we Canadians will manage to wipe out the shame of this incident.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:12 PM

I am appalled at the unnecessary use of force by the officers involved in this incident, and by the RCMP's subsequent failure to provide the public with a clear account of events. As a result I feel that:

- The officers involved in what I believe amounts to an unlawful death should be expelled from the RCMP and prosecuted for manslaughter.
- Tasers should be banned in Canada, no exceptions, without delay.
- RCMP training and hiring procedures should be radically over-hauled.

I do not feel comfortable travelling to Vancouver airport as a result of this incident, especially as I understand RCMP continue to carry Tasers there (according to a news report Friday 16 Nov/07) despite this awful death. This entire incident blackens the RCMP's reputation at a time when its' integrity has already been called into question over previous mis-steps. There now needs to be clear, unequivical accountability and punishment of the officers who robbed this innocent man of his life. There can be no other remedy that will restore my faith in the RCMP.

A.Murphy
Toronto
17 Nov/07

Posted November 16, 2007 11:11 PM

1) Why was Mr Dziekanski held by the airport staff [customs/security?] for so many hours?.
2)How were they able to communicate with him if he spoke only Polish.
3)Why did they release him? Was he delusional or agitated in their presence? If so why were mental heath workers/security not contacted?
4)How or Why did the airport staff not locate him when his mother required about his whereabouts for the several hours she waited at the terminal?.
5)What is the job description and qualifications for an airport security worker? Why did the security guard keep repeating that the man spoke only Russian?
6)Why didn’t the RCMP give the man more time to settle down before using the taser? Why did they taser him again after he was on the floor writhing in pain?
Without knowing the answers to the questions above, I can only say this. I have worked in two Psychiatric hospitals and a maximum security juvenile corrections center for a combined 15 years, and never was a taser used to subdue any out-of-control patient or adolescent and there were many,and they came in all shapes and sizes. If those 4 or 5 burly officers could not subdue that delusional man without a taser, God help any future innocent citizen/victim.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:05 PM

Watch this video with your nose to your monitor and pay close attention. Four RCMP arrive. Robert Dziekanski raises his hands in a seemingly language independent gesture that says OK I will cooperate. An RCMP officer points to the counter. Robert backs up against it. Robert’s head drops, his hands waive, and then a split second later you can hear the “snap” of what must have been a taser. Then his right hand comes up in the air carrying an object reported by one witness as a stapler. Then one officer and then a second officer go down on him with their knees in his back. He is not resisting at this point his muscles are simply suffering severe contractions from a high voltage taser jolt. A police taser training officer said that he should been placed in a position that would have facilitated his ability to regain breathing control. He may have died of asphyxiation with police knees in his back because his lungs were struggling to breathe. Four cops against a stapler and one dead Polish immigrant? The RCMP explanation prior to the video release about his aggression and they couldn’t use pepper spray in a crowded area and all that great white wash stuff does little to improve RCMP credibility that is suffering enough from their leaders in recent history. Are we dealing with a lack of training, lack of morale, or an attitude among these particular RCMP officers? This is an extremely important law enforcement agency for our country. We need answers and honest remedial action in the name of true public safety. Canadians need to regain their respect for the RCMP.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:01 PM

The 4 officers involved need to be suspended from the service, permanently. It is sickening to think four large RCMP officers had to brutally attack and murder that poor visitor, over what? He was in a secured area, he had no weapon.
To seek sympathy for their actions is disgusting.
My hear cries out for our so called freedom in this once proud country.
Hang our heads in shame Canada.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:59 PM

The RCMP was only 50% of the problem that night. Ask any foreigner that has come through customs and immigration @ Vancouver Airport. You deal with the most incompetent system and people in the world. I can imagine from past experience why it probably took him until after midnight to clear through customs. Standing in line for hours and then being interrogated by ignorant officials. And he could not even speak English. I can think of a few times I would have liked to throw things around after getting through it all in the end. It sounds as if he came to stay in Canada. That would have earned him another few hours with an immigration officer to get either a worker visa/ permit or permanent residency. After that his luggage would have been long since off the carousel and he would have had to look for it somewhere in the luggage area. What can I say....been there done that. As far as his mother looking for him and getting absolutely zero help; I have been in the same position 3 times in 4 years. Vancouver is probably the most useless and unfriendly airport in the world. CONGRATULATIONS VANCOUVER. EXCELLENT ADVERT FOR 2010!

Posted November 16, 2007 10:57 PM

We live in a time when security is just as much an issue and concern for police and security officers as it is for the public. That being said, perhaps the officers noticed something that may have been endangering to them that the public could not see in the video. What I saw in the video was a man who did not show any aggressive behavior towards another person, a man who did not try to flee the scene, a man who did not appear to resist apprehension. What I don't understand is how four officers could not apprehend an unarmed and seemingly compliant man without force. In my belief, a taser gun was not even warranted in this situation. Considering the amount of deaths by taser, I strongly believe that officers are either being too liberal or too dependant on tasers when perhaps using their clubs would suffice. I support officers having the right to carry tasers but perhaps the voltage on them should be lowered. After all, they are supposed to be used to apprehend a suspect, not kill them.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:52 PM

This is a sad turn of events. It basically boils down to the fact that "trained men" who are armed with a gun, pepper spray, baton, handcuffs, badge and the backing of the whole legal system, had to try out their gadgets like in a Batman movie. And it doesn't stop there, now we know that they LIED about a plethora of details surrounding this execution. In short, there is no other option for the government (who is supposed to be there for the citizens and immigrants) to prosecute to the full extent of the law the individuals involved in this despicable act. The fact that they lied adds an extra layer of disgust to this whole debacle.

One can only wonder what would have occurred if no one had video taped this execution! These men and women don't have an easy job, but the fact of the matter is they signed up for it knowing full well the implications involved as being police officers. In short, they killed a man and they should be prosecuted. How many batman gadgets do these people need? Enough is enough!!! They killed an innocent man and lied about the details surrounding it. That just says everything right there! Let the hammer fall!

Deepest sympathies to Mr. Dziekanski's family and also to the relatives of the individuals involved in this execution.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:51 PM

To all those who cast stones at the RCMP: You were not at the scene of the incident. While it is very unfortunate that a man is now dead, the fact of the matter is the training that all law enforcement officers receive is of the utmost quality. I have no doubt that the officers involved acted in a manner which is consistant with the training they recieved.

I highly doubt that those who are condemning the actions of the RCMP have ever found themselves in a situation that requires split second reaction. Front line officers are tasked with an extreamly difficult job day in and day out. I know that personally, I am of the mentality that if it comes down to you or me, well, it's going to be you because I want to go home to my family at the end of my shift.

As a side note: The officer who was seen making a "stabbing motion" with his baton was simply closing it. Thats how they work. You need to "strike" it closed once it has been extended.

Keep up the good work boys!

B
Windsor, On

Posted November 16, 2007 10:51 PM

I too lost a night's sleep after watching this disturbing situation. I see a need to back up and rethink the whole process of restraint using the taser. There have been so many occasions of its inappropriate use, for example on mentally handicapped people, those entering a diabetic coma, a person that a police officer takes issue with, that it needs to be relegated to virtually the same category as use of a lethal weapon (gun). That is, only use it on those occasions where the other alternative would be to shoot the "perpetrator". Not for drunk people, sleeping people, ornery or belligerent people... As a veterinarian, if we were to subdue a recalcitrant animal in this manner, society would not tolerate it. Now if the animal actually attacked, perhaps we would be somewhat excused.
I can identify with the panic mode Mr. Dziekanski was in. Many people have difficulty sleeping at all on a plane, so you have sleep deprivation, emotional exhaustion, dehydration and perhaps some hypoglycemia. You're immigrating to a new country,have never flown before, add on jet lag, and you've forgotten any word of English you may have memorized. My first time travelling overseas with a friend we landed in England (no language barrier), and I felt overwhelmed and completely frustrated with each glitch. While Mr. Dziekanski behaved badly and not everyone would have reacted in his manner, I don't believe you can taser and violently restrain every individual who behaves badly in a public place. If the taser is indeed more harmful to highly stressed or agitated individuals, then it appears that those are the persons on whom it definitely should only be used if the only other alternative is a firearm.
If anything, this situation increases the respect I have for our RCMP officers in small town St. Paul. They deal with many difficult individuals behaving badly in public places and we are proud of the way they handle themselves.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:48 PM

the third officer hitting the ground with his baton was collapsing the telescopic baton once it was obvious the dead wasn't going to resist.

their actions after he was determined to have no pulse is depraved indifference and all four should be charged with manslaughter.

not only are they so poorly trained they went in with the intent to take the man down without even knowing why he was upset or acting out, they quite clearly stated their intention to force an even more violent reaction by saying they expected to taser him before even reaching his location.

how stupid do they think people are to believe we'd swallow that a man shot with thousands of volts is expected to suddenly be meek and not have muscular reactions to the current being pulsed through them. the entire taser is made to create a massive amount of muscular convulsions making it impossible for the person to do anything voluntarily which includes the ability to not resist.

police try to say he was resisting arrest when he no longer had the free will to do so the taser removed all chance that he could.

but like the video from montreal where a man was beaten for telling a policeman he was double parked don't expect these officers to suffer more than our comments for killing someone.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:39 PM

I am very indignated by the police officer's conduct who seemed to show no regard for human life. I am really deeply disturbed just to think that may own child can be a victim of this individual; or that my husband, who has a heart condition, will have the bad fortune to meet with them. I will not rest in peace until I know that this weapons are remove from these criminals. It will take long, for me to trust them again. I implore our goverment to do something about it. How many more people have to die before they will do something about it.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:36 PM

ok just watched the video the tazer was brutal but everyone seems to miss the cop beating him with his batton thats when he stops moving. watch starting at 8 min and 25 sec and you will see what i am talking about.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:33 PM

I have great respect for anyone who chooses a career as a police officer. I respect the institution of the RCMP. But I have greater respect yet for life. I do not believe the officers concerned treated this man's life with respect. It appears to me they made a hasty decision to use excessive force, and committed an assault against him, causing his death, when it was their duty to keep him from harm - perhaps because a flight arrival was imminent. Criminal proceedings are warranted. As well, a thorough investigation should be conducted to determine what errors or oversights, if any, were committed by Canada Border Services, airport security & airline personnel. It should never have come to this.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:24 PM

With mobile technology being developed, utilized and published in this manner, accountability for ones action will improve.
Obviously, a Taser is not something to be used on the human body that is weakened by the effects of alcohol and other drugs.
Mr.. Pritchard was bold enough to keep an eye on this situation and to not allow the Police to trick him out of the evidence of their actions.
The monetary gains that Mr.. Pritchard has received won't address the anxieties that Mr.. Pritchard may face in the aftermath of reporting the incident to the public.
Mr. Dziekanski's death is once again obvious that combining the use of the "Conducted Energy Weapon" on persons with "Excited Delirium" should be considered as a last resort, not a tool to make less work in taking someone into custody.
As for the RCMP's Spokesperson, Sgt. Pierre Lemaitre's explanations, It seems to bring more questions than answers to the conduct and mentality of their members.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:21 PM

I respect the RCMP (and their supporters -even though some of their comments are very iffy, general and naive), however the way some of the RCMP members conduct themselves (as shown on this video) is :
1. Scary- looks like Police has the right to brutally subdue a man who appears not to be armed, just because he does not comply with their “orders” or does not fully understand the gravity of the situation. They are the “judge” of what they do- I don’t remember any “RCMP” investigation of themselves that resulted in any real action or consequences to the officers.
2. Unprofessional- there was no real attempt to resolve the situation. The guy would probably understand Czech, Slovak, Russian not only Polish- so they tasered him “just in case” he was armed?. Just wait when you happen to dispute or argue with an officer- you will be very sorry.
3. Criminal- there was no attempt to administer first aid- those guys (RCMP) are trained I heard (some kids know how to do it). So knowing that that guy was fading away, he was still restrained, and left on the floor. It was their negligence that killed.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:16 PM

Tears dropped from my eyes affected by the most profound indignation. It has been the most disgusting video that I have ever seen. The worst of all is that the police does not recognized that there is something wrong, by the contrary they are trying to cover up and minimize the inccident as much as they can. Their prepotence has not name. There is no money or justice in the world that will compensate this Polish- Canadian mother for her lost. Nothing ... nothing will bring back her son who had the bad fortune to meet this people, they do not represent in anyway our Canadain values of dremocracy and freedom. These people should be criminal charged, they are not, even if they think they are, above the law. The goverment of Canada on its part should ban the use of taser inmmediately and review the kind of trainning that this individual are getting, because this is not un insolated case; It seems that police officers are ready to use unnecesary force at the first opportunity they have because that is the way they have been trained. The governmet of BC and Canada should do something NOW as a will of good gesture, however knowing our politician and the fear they feel of the police, they will do nothing. Nothing will change, I can predict exactly how everything will go. The police will be found at not falt at all as usual. How many Roberts will have to died before our politicias react to this kind of incident? How many people will have to suffer before we do something as soceity? How many more Roberts will have to die before they rectify their wrong doing?

Posted November 16, 2007 10:15 PM

Hard to understand why this happened...perhaps these cops were newly hired from Blackwater Security? Or maybe they've just been watching too much American T.V.

They should be fired and sent off to hard labor in the Warsaw airport. But they are probably already back on the streets and will receive a verbal reprimand sometime next year after the complaints have subsided. Get more lawyers involved, that's how we handle it down here.

I am saddened to see this "professional" disregard for human life in Canada. Maybe in NYC or LA, but not Vancouver. Oh Canada, how you have fallen.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:15 PM

After watching this video a few times I cannot believe that the RCMP acted in such a inhumane manner. The officers made no attempt to communicate with Robert,all the officers wanted to do was to go in and act like bullies. And all we the public hear are one excuss after another.This poor man came to Canada to start a new life for himself and to be with his mother. Those officers who did this should be charged with murder,thrown into jail and throw away the key.What next will they taser you for a speeding ticket?? I have totally lost all respect for the RCMP!! My heart and prays go ut out to his mom.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:06 PM

The TASER should be considered in the same light as a sidearm: lethal force. There is no way that the RCMP would have shot this man with a bullet with intent to kill and nor should they have used the TASER. Despite TASER's claims to its safety there have now been hundreds of deaths following the weapon's use. I am not saying the TASER should be banned but its use should be considered the quivalent of a bullet from a gun.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:58 PM

This incident has changed forever my view of law enforcement officers. Prior to this, I am generally supportive of putting weapons in the hands of "trained" officers. I now have a great deal of doubt that any person has the capacity to use good judgement in the use of force. I have great respect for the woman who moments before the arrival of police, who had shown more courage and compassion towards a person who is clearly in distress. It is clear to me that this situation would have had an entirely different outcome if we did not have the four policeman involved. I am ashamed of how this new comer was treated in this country. I DARE hope that this will never be repeated ever again in Canada. As a final note, this is a day when our government leaders are failing us, dismally, as I watch better sensibility and leadership from our citizens at large. When will Stockwell Day issue an apology to the Polish Ambassador and to the world?!

Posted November 16, 2007 09:56 PM

I fear the police after watching this tape.

This guy had the worst trip to Canada ever. We killed him before he left the airport.

Nobody performed CPR. These are trained professionals and nobody helped him. Doesn’t that trouble anyone?

This was execution. He was electrocuted. He was pronounced died and that was it.

We pay these guys to protect and serve. Who did they protect and who did they serve?

There are a lot lies to go around. Maybe this situation required the use of force, but it didn’t require deadly force.

Next time perform CPR after electrocuting bewildered and confused passengers.

Imagine if foreign countries did the same to us… executed the confused Canadians at Arrivals for safety reasons.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:55 PM

What a disgrace that the airport staff including airport security, Canada Customs and the RCMP, together, all failed to identify there was a problem and didn't have the skills or the know how to fix it.
I feel awful, as a Canadian, that the RCMP acted like a bunch of cowboys in the old west where they used to shoot first and ask questions later.
The man hung around for 10 hours and no one figured out he needed help or there was a problem? What a joke!
I hope a whole bunch of heads roll over this.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:53 PM

The video shows that the man is obviously distressed. When airport personnel tried talking to him, they must have known he didn't understand English and his passport and ticket would have clearly shown that he had just arrived from Poland so obviously there was a problem. He wouldn't have been angry and upset for no reason. Why didn't anyone try to get an intrepeter? Why was his mother told he had not arrived as she claims? After being in an airport for 10 hours and not being able to find your relative, I think anyone would be upset. His mental health issues are not the main concern here, and people with mental health issues (if he had any) should not be targets for taser use! One man against 4 police officers can hardly be considered to be a 'danger' to any of their lives. It didn't appear he had a weapon and nothing on the video showed that he tried to harm the officers. I think they could have handcuffed him if they felt he was 'out of control' or a danger to anyone, but to taser a man who had been waiting in an airport for 10 hours, with no way of communicating with anyone, and not knowing what was happening or what he should do, after relying on his mother to be there to meet him and not understanding what had happened to her, is just outrageous. He was treated like a wild animal, not a human being who was looking forward to starting a new life in Canada. Did he deserve this? NO he did not. I believed that tasers were only used if an officer's life was at risk. This does not appear to be the case. The man was helpless and frantic and needed help, but ended up being killed by an RCMP who feels he has the right to taser him to death instead of trying to help him. Easier just to taser him to death and end the disturbance at the airport? I'm appauled!

Posted November 16, 2007 09:51 PM

4 on 1, they need this high-tech taser.
If it is 4 on 4, what do they need?

Posted November 16, 2007 09:51 PM

Simply unacceptable, a shame on Canada and on the proud tradition of the RCMP. Clearly something is wrong with training, with the policy on the use of force and with the force's feeling of accountability to the Canadian public and even the world. It is appalling that an investigation was not immediately launched followed directly by the dismissal and criminal prosecution of these officers. This is not a normal situation where the cops had to deal with a difficult individual. This shows an unacceptable diregard for the rights of the public. They seemed to prepare to use the taser as a matter of course. I think CBC should do an investigation into just how many uses of a taser there are a year, I think it will be higher than we'd imagine for 'a last recourse' response. If the liberals want an election issue, forget mulrooney, reform the RCMP. Our national honour is at stake here. What symbol is more well known around the world than the mounties? It is a disgrace to an open, welcoming nation of immigrants that a new immigrant was left helpless and then killed by the police because he didn't speak english and responded in contradiction to the RCMP use of force pie chart.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:46 PM

After seeing this video,I didnot change the way I feel about the police response. I have seen two police officer use force to an quiet aboriginal in Nethen Philip Square in Totonto in a sunny summer afternoon.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:44 PM

i am absolutely amazed by the apparent lack of 'problem solving' demonstrated by the four rcmp officers. also, why was the gentleman allowed to languish at the airport for such an extended period of time without airport intervention? why wasn't a translator provided for him by the authorities - either police or airport? why was his mother - who apparently had been waiting at the airport for her son - told that he was not on an immigration list? why didn't the customs people know that he had been processed? nobody even performed cpr on him aren't they trained in that? i certainly feel sorry for law enforcement officers as i think it would be a thankless job, but in this case four guys with a taser against one non-english speaking individual doesn't cut it. we should be writing our mps asking for a moratorium on these bloody tasers and asking for more funds for rcmp training - they obviously need it as they acted worse than their victim. my condolences to his mother and family. it shouldn't have happened. p.s. the rcmp didn't even know not to sit on him after he had been tasered. read the instructions on the packaging of your special equipment, boys and girls.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:40 PM

Anyone witnessing such an event will always wonder WHO the REAL TERRORISTS are! It's quite clear that men in uniforms carrying weapons in our midst - brainwashed into believing all humanity are their enemies will be able to perpetuate such acts of outright balant MURDER in the eyes of GOD and society and think they are doing justice --- However, I say it is a clear violation of human rights. These men think they will get away with this - only to one day be the ones who will CRY out for mercy when they are to be TOSSED INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE!!!!! Their FATE alwaits them!!!
A man reaps what he sows!!!! So be it!!!! No conscience and no sense of mercy for anyone - we are all responsible for condoning such acts! I answer to no one - but all answer to their God - who they mock by such perversions! MURDER IS MURDER!!!!!!

Posted November 16, 2007 09:38 PM

I was really disappointed to hear that it has been a month since the incident, and the 4 RCMP officers in this case are still on duty in the airport still armed with their tasers. I would interpret the decision not to suspend the officers as determining they were following RCMP procedures, and if that was the case, it makes it all the more disturbing. Regardless of whether they followed SOP, there needs to be a moratorium on tasers until it is extensively reviewed and training on this lethal weapon is improved. This was the recommendation of Amnesty International 3 years ago; it's unfortunate that we needed this incident to propel us to action, but it's about time we put in the moratorium and took a serious, independent, public look at the use of tasers.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:35 PM

Very discusting that the police don't have more common sense. Can you imagine how scared the man was after being in the airport for so long and not seeing his mother. Then being video taped by the stranger would have upset him more. I am sure he was very sleep deprived after travelling for so long plus being at the airport for so long without any help would have put him over the edge. Someone did phone the mother saying he was waiting for her. So why didn't someone go and call out his name in the baggage area where the mother told him to wait. He fell through the cracks at the airport and then the brave police men came in and killed him. I think the police should be sent to jail when not one out of the four of them tried to stop the abuse. They deserve jail time and to lose their jobs. Idella Meier

Posted November 16, 2007 09:23 PM

Appalling to say the least. 4 armed officers, 1 traveller facing language barriers with no help for understanding. Lets do the math.

Have you ever been on a trip where you've been delayed? Did you try to get help unsuccessfully? Lets add in a language barrier. That adds up to frustration. Not everyone handles frustration with poise. Note Dziekanski's behavior.

Enter 4 armed RCMP officers. Note the early request for permission to use Taser. Have we forgotten how to talk first - shoot later? Did they attempt to calm Mr. Dziekanski down? You can communicate with people even when they don't speak the the same language. Officers - this is called BODY LANGUAGE. If you show calm and willingness to resolve, often you have success. I didn't see any of this.

Odds are that RCMP entered expecting conflict. Understandable. But what was the hurry to end this. If they had spent even 5 minutes trying to calm Robert down, he may still have been here today.

Appalled, ashamed, dismayed. So many words come to mind when I see this video. Not only should there be reviews of Taser use, but the officers involved should have their jobs and their suitability to the job reviewd. Based on evidence shown - none of these officers deserve to wear the badge of the RCMP.

Word of wise to Depot - bolster your training in diplomacy and conflict resolution without physical contact. Obviously these officers were lacking this fundamental skill of a Peace Officer.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:22 PM

The RCTM not RCMP the T is for Taser. Is this the kind of Policeman we have now. Four against one and they use a Taser!!! Unbelievable. Not that other means were required, whatever happened to Batons or Pepper Spray. Or how about a little unarmed combat. Not one of the four helped the poor man with CPR. But they had the presence of mind to go seize the photographer's camera. To cover their dastardly deed. These four do not belong in the RCMP any longer. My condolences to the Family of this unfortunate individual.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:18 PM

What would happened if there was a video of a citizen tazerring another citizen, we know what would happen that person would be charged.Just because they are the police they can get away with it. It was so wrong ,they could of handled it a lot differnt. We are taught at an early age to respect the police , but lately with all that is going on i think its time they earn it and police their own people and actions.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:17 PM

Why does this suprise anyone? Without a doubt you will see a bunch of poorly trained red police blamed for this while the system that allows such action will remain untouched. At best there will be some stupid committment to prevent a reccurrance, which not be acted on and impossible for anyone to follow up on.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:13 PM

Every person and organization involved must go under the microscope. Period.
This issue has travelled the world at the speed of light.
The eyes of the world are on Canada.
Justice must be done.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:13 PM

The 4 officers' action is disgraceful but RCMP's response following the event is even more disgusting. If RCMP is not held accountable for those apparent lies, more people will be victims even Taser is banned.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:10 PM

I have several thoughts on this matter:
1. I'd like to know if this was the first time that particular RCMP Officer used the Taser on a real "suspect" - my point is, he seemed very eager to do so;
2. I'd also like to know if the SOP's for Taser use include using it on a suspect who is already on the floor - I actually can see no valid reason to continue to shock him after he's already down (you aren't supposed to kick someone while they're down, are you?);
3. I'd also like to find out if it was the Taser that actually killed him - my guess is that it wasn't the casue of death - my guess is the Officer kneeling on his neck, probably compressed a main artery and caused a fatal stroke (in an excited state this man's brain would have needed more blood that usual and with 1 of the only 2 arteries feeding that blood to the brain, it just wasn't sufficient);
4. And lastly, but most important - I believe that CPR & First Aid are part of the training at the Recruiting Depot in Regina .. so why, after the man went down and stopped moving, did none of those Officer check to see if he was breathing an had a heartbeat? If one of them had done so, and found him pulseless and not breathing then CPR could and should have been administered. In fact if he was now in custody, these Officers had a duty to monitor his condition and respond to any Health problem(s) he was having.
We need a Public Inquiry and it needs to be someone INDEPENDENT from the RCMP, the Department of Transport, Vancouver Airport and the Federal Government.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:09 PM

I am deeply saddened by the loss of a gentle and innocent man caught inside of an uncaring and inhospitable airport. It was a cowardly and shameful act of intolerance, bullying and insensitivity to another human being that prompted these four rookie vigilantes to take this man's life. We cannot bring back Mr. Dziekanski but what we can do is see that justice is done. First and foremost we must apologize to Mr. Dziekanski's mother and to the people of Poland for failing to look after one of their citizens and then we must prosecute the offenders and then legislate a ban on taser guns and similar weapons.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:01 PM

This gang of 'thugs' appear to have predetermined what action they were going to perform before taking any time to evaluate the level of urgency of the situation. Check out their aggresive stance as they surround him, while he displays no show of resistance. If this was a video of a street gang, it would be labelled as a murder. These cops are an embarrasment and a travesty to this country, and I am ashamed to be a Canadian today. There is no excuse for this tragedy, and the cops involved should be held accountable to the fullest extent. Also, the officials who so called 'manage' YVR should not be excluded as well, as they are just as much to blame for allowing this to happen. Blood is on their hands as well. A man died, in what was suppose to be a new and happy chapter in his life as a Canadian, and we as a country let him down, and the whole world who views us as a country of humanity has been let down.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:56 PM

This leaves me feeling very upset & shamed. The response the RCMP put out before the video was released seems to be a different version of this tragedy. As a possible future RCMP candidate, this leaves me feeling disgusted. Would I be expected to do that to another human being??
I hope the truth about this comes out very soon. Is this an isolated "cowboy mentality" incident?? How much experience did these officers have?? There didn't seem to be much of an attempt to negotiate with the victim. What a terrible light this puts the RCMP in. Maybe they should have less officers in the airports & more in the NWT where they could do some good.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:51 PM

you would think that people in CPR would administer it to the victim instead of keeping him pinned down.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:44 PM

This is a tragedy that was self-inflicted. Mr. Dziekanski rendered an entire airport security area unusable, possibly causing sudden unplanned diversions of hundreds of other passengers, an airport-wide risk factor not apparent in the video. In a busy international airport, time is of the essence and the police cannot simply assume that he is just an ordinary guy having a bad day. The cops did not have time to wait for Mr. Dziekanski’s antics to subside, and they planned and acted to resolve the situation quickly, before further risking the safety of hundreds of people, and not just those in view.

I am appalled at CBC's spin of the video, and at the vicious postings about the police. The CBC tells us that Mr. Dziekanski was calm when confronted, but the video shows him waving his arms wildly and lurching about irrationally. And the suggestion that "thick glass" would isolate bystanders from using pepper spray is ridiculous, given that the taser and the shouting were clearly audible.

It seems unbelievably ludicrous that Mr. Dziekanski could not after 10 hours decide to move on to the luggage area in the airport where every other passenger went, or that airport employees who monitored where he hung out for ten hours saw and did nothing. But there’s nothing sensational about that to put on TV, right, CBC?

I will not judge the police whose priority was a quick end to the situation before harm and risk proliferated. This was not a quiet neighborhood lounge; it was a security area in a busy international airport. If you act up in such a place, you take your life into your hands because airport users are entitled to expect that the severest of consequences are meted out to restore order and control. This may seem harsh, but there are times and places where you must be responsible for yourself and others.

As for Paul Pritchard, you are no better than a paparazzi for exploitation of a tragedy. Enjoy your 30 pieces of silver.

Dan in Calgary

Posted November 16, 2007 08:41 PM

The over-reaction of the police and mis-information and negligance of the airport staff cannot be excused but there has to be some blame set at the feet of the immigration and customs officers. They saw his polish papers and his Canadian immigration documents. They surely interviewed him and knew he did not speak English and from his documents they knew his language was Polish. They should know the Polish consulate in Vancouver has a 24 hour cell phone for assistance. Why dont they have one page sheets in all the langusges of our immigrants that could provide details of the process they were to go through at the airport? They could tell people where they would be meeting their hosts/families and tell them their families could not come into the secure area. Robert was a literate man... two of his three suitcases were filled with books. His hand-writing is virtually calligraphy.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:38 PM

I cannot start imaging my state of mind if I had to wait for 10 hours to clear the customs.
Some view the criticism of these RCMP officers as a criticism of the entire force, and that’s wrong. We do support our law enforcement agencies and know that there are those who should not be in the force. This 4 trigger happy officers are disgrace to the RCMP and should be prosecuted.
My condolences go to the mother of the victim and relatives. Not sure why no one could teach him a sentence or two in English that could have saved his life.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:35 PM

From this video, it appears as though there was no experience or knowledge of how to deal with or assess a man who either had a chronic mental health condition, or just a temporary anxiety/panic attack. For all we know he was simply sleep-deprived. The behaviour demonstrated by him was relatively benign. He moved some furniture, at the high point of his "rampage" he threw a computer. Big deal. This is textbook mental illness/distress.

It appears that the other individuals were not threatened by Robert - especially if one pointed a camera at him for such a long time without much concern for his own safety. He was certainly under no obligation to take the video and could have easily ran away from the scene if the scene was getting really bad. Think about it - would you point a camera, sit still, and needlessly take a video of somebody if they were a threat to your safety? Also there's the woman who tried to get him to settle down - while in very close range to him...

With his unusual but non-threatening behaviour the RCMP might have simply contained the man until a translator and psychiatrist could have gotten to the bottom of things. I can't help but think this is how they normally operate in crisis calls - in fact I have definitely *witnessed* the police here interact with more insight with the mentally-ill in the malls, streets what have you - usually in the worst case they are handcuffed and taken for psychiatric evalution, or crisis intervention.

Now of course the RCMP did not have this footage before they came - but its puzzling that in this case they didn't let the situation play out more to see how to react - they seemed to have just casually reacted with the taser shots, (but I really doubt they knew it would have resulted in death), and I don't think we have heard the official justification for the quick taser jolts yet. Perhaps they were given an overly anxious synopsis of the situation when they were called - but.. still...

Posted November 16, 2007 08:25 PM

Tasers are not the issue here. The issue is that 4 RCMP officers that acted in a pack dog fashion. They acted with intent and disregard for human rights. The news has often shown the cruelty of death squads in foriegn countries and have now shown a Canadian Death Squad.

The officers, it seems, had decided to use the taser even before the engaged Mr. Dziekanski. As though they couldn't wait to use thier favorite toy.

These officers, a disgrace to all officers in my view, should be charged and held while awaiting trial like other criminals before they strike again.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:23 PM

TO
E. Hing (Lowermainland_BC) wrote:

look how close the officer were to the guy before tasering him. Looking at the video there is no evidence of the guy having any weapons.. first of all its impossible to board with a weapon on plane and i think even if he had one he would have had it out the minute he got upset or when the cops were approaching him...clearly i still think the officers shuld have wrestled him down since they were 4 and so close to the guy. I mean come on dont u see the police videos on U.S channels where they normally chase the guy on wild car chases and wrestlle them down instead of shooting him. To me if your not strong enough physically then dont join the police or any other security jobs.

And to all of you who said the RCMP , well so am i when i come back home from a stressfull job but i dont lash out on someone...u dont kill someone just because you are over-worked period.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:16 PM

This is beyond horrible, this is criminal. His punishment for being frustrated, confused, and not speaking English is death? Four policemen in bulletproof vests couldn't subdue a man who was not challenging them without using a Taser? He had no weapon. Anyone who think he might have, is delusional. He got thru airport security for an international flight, and spent all that time going thru immigrations procedure, concealing a weapon? --- I think not. He didn't strike or harm or physically threaten anyone. My god, it's heartbreaking to see him suffer like that. I'm so happy that this was caught on video so that those "men" (useless cowards) can be held accountable for their actions. There is no excuse whatsoever for their overreaction to that poor man and I hope dearly that they are prosecuted for his senseless murder. Yes, murder. This is unconscionable behavior and it has happened recently here too, to a senile elderly woman who also was unarmed. These poorly-trained individuals think they are given these to diffuse a minor situation instead of subduing a severe threat. I agree with the poster who said hey, great job protecting the office equipment. Good thing you had 4 men there to tackle the man convulsing from the shock you administered.
My heart goes out to his poor mother. The character of the Canadian people will be judged on how this is handled. I hope you do so admirably.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:10 PM

I once have the highest respect for the RCMP but no more. A shame to the RCMP. What happens to the patience of talking a way out of the situation. There is only 28 seconds after they get there and a guy is dead. On the other hand, there are four mounties and the guy who neither has a knife nor a weapon is walking away from them. There is no difference to shoot someone from behind. And you can't tell me that four mounties cannot man-handle one guy. Shake my head in shame. Perhaps, the RCMP now stands for Rambo Cruel Mean Police.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:10 PM

I think what happened is horendous. Professional workers now are from the Me generation. expecting everything to be instantatanious with little or no effort. Police officers are from the same generation. They think they can stop all problems by flicking a switch (Taser), pulling the trigger (gun), or slamming you to the pavement en-masse. We need to take the arogance out of Police work (COPs), and reintroduce Peace officers, who are supposed to be a positive sign of help and support in anxious moments.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:08 PM

It is astonishing that some people, such as K Friend, believe the actions by the officers was a "necessity". Using a tazer on a man that clearly posses no harm to any of the 4 (FOUR) fully armed officers is anything but necessary. Maybe your judgement of that would change if you were to go to Poland and go up against the same circumstances.

"I love seeing the comments of people that have NO idea what members of the RCMP go through on a day to day basis when dealing with "clients". All I have to say is keep up the good work and know that there are people out here that support you and honour the fact that you're out there every single day putting your life at risk for the citizens of this fine country. Ask Chris WORDEN and Doug SCOTT. I'm sure their families would love for them to be here to answer you!"

Mind boggling. As a cop, you need to be able to DEAL with this kind of work on a daily basis. If you start to get frazzled and get trigger happy, you shouldn't be a cop. Period. I realize it is a tough job, however there are ways to handle situations, and this was far from being handled properly.

"You do NOT know someone is unarmed until he is restrained in custody and searched. PERIOD!!!"

........

He must've gotten a gun on the plane, or during customs. Or maybe he made one from what he could find in that room in his spare time, since he had quite a lot of it.

Give me a break.

I wonder how the responses here would change had this been a Canadian in Poland (or anywhere else in the world), and the officers could not speak English.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:03 PM

To Serve and Protect, what a joke. How do we suppose to trust OUR police force( paid by OUR TAXES )?. Disgrace for Canada, disgrace for Humanity.Four Bullies with weapons and " authority " - Shame.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:55 PM

In 1966, as a young woman I immigrated to Canada from Scotland and have always felt that this was my country and I felt glad that we were a people that gave folks a break & were willing to listen, it was/is a lovely trust that I believe made us as Canadians so very human & connected.
This incident with Robert has really distressed me & makes feel so sad that he died alone without any support or sense that he had reached a place of good will.
I feel that as a Canadian I owe an apology to Robert & his family as well as the people of Poland. It must be so shocking to all of you.
I am not only distressed by the actions of the RCMP (and I am sure that every day RCMP officers successfully deal with incredible adversity with little recognition, and I am glad that they are here to serve & protect Canadian communities); but I am also so very concerned by Immigration & Customs Canada abandoning this man for an such an unacceptable amount of time. It seems inconceivable that he was left like that without any intervention.
IT MAKES ME FEEL AS IF I AM IN A AN ALIEN COUNRTY.
I think that the Canadian Government should not wait for the outcome of the inquiry & apologize to Roberts family and the people of Poland.
Marie Newlands Hale.
Village of Cumberland Vancouver Island BC Canada

Posted November 16, 2007 07:53 PM

I can not believe the amount of idiotic attempts by so many uncompassionate and blind people that have left behind suppport for those officers who have committed this hanis crime. I can not believe that anyone could support what occurred, it is not even justifiable force it was disgusting. Thank god there are only a few of those bad apples out there, but they are protected as seen by the RCMP Sgt who stands infront of the camera and says, we haven't seen everything. It's quite obvious we have all seen much more than the 4 officers did before they went in blindly discharging their tasers. They are the few that dis-honour the scarlet force of Canada, they need to be dealt with to the highest degree of legal force allowable. I recommend that the mother of this man start legal proceedings against these 4 members and the Airport CEO.
Shame on those 4 officer and all those who show support for these 4 idiots.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:46 PM

I think that the reporting of Mr. Robert Dziekanski at the VIA, too much emphasis is concentrated on the use, missuse or danger of the taser and not enough on the actions of the 4 RCMP officers after they used the taser.
I was most disgusted at the brute force used on a disabled man writhing in pain. That, in my opinion, was extreme EXCESSIVE force. I would not ne suprised that their brutal handling did not in fact cause his death. (If so--I hope the prison sentence fits the crime)
I would also like to voice my concern in having the RCMP investigate themselves. The perception by Canadians will be that the RCMP ( as in the past) will marginalize/minimize their envolvment in a less than legal manner. (Cover up?)
Another concern that has emerged from this episode is the possibility that we are accepting too many applicants for police forces across the country that are too aggressive, violent and brutal. It is not enough to put training into place without first doing a indepth psychological assessment of all applicants by an independent professional body.
I can see myslf or one of my family menbers in a set of circumstances (medical/emotional) being brutalized in the same manner as Mr. Dziekanski by the police forces in this country.
I would rather face the worse criminals in our society knowing they could harm me than any police officer who in the past I have trusted.
This episode and others have left me paraniod. I am having second thoughts about penning my opinion. I would not be too suprised if the RCMP will flag my name and lable me a person of interest to test their tasers on.

I remain a Canadian but very ashamed.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:46 PM

Police officers are taught martial arts. They are also armed.

It is expected of officers that they first take control of a man through physical force before resorting to any kind of weapon.

That's what policemen used to do.

Is it possible that now police officers are trained to protect themselves over and above the average citizen; that their protection supersedes that of the average Canadian?

This then is a sign of decay and corruption - when the man whose salary is paid by the taxpayer is given greater protection than the taxpayer who pays his salary.

Sad days for Canada.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:42 PM

They should spend more time learning how to deal with the public, and less time polishing their shoes.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:37 PM

First of all Mr. Dziekanski was not armed and when he was tasered to death he had nothing in his hands so how were the police threatened? I don't care how many excuses the police have - this man was murdered period. I have cried many tears over this and I don't think I will ever forget the desperation on that man's face. Shame Shame Shame!!!
His mother is continually in my thoughts.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:33 PM

I think the taser incident was disgraceful. The police spent no time with the man before using force. Only the coroner can tell us if the policeman broke his neck by putting his whole weight on it. We also have to put a lot of blame on the airport staff for not meeting the man's essential needs - food and water; and just leaving him there for 10 hours without finding someone who could speak his language.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:33 PM

I am so appalled by what happened at the Vancouver Airport. I think many of us feel quite helpless. "Our" officials are not acknowledging their wrongs, and somehow we all feel the weight of their silence and refusal to acknowledge their error. I'm wondering if there is a way for the rest of us to reach out especially to our Polish brothers and sisters. Is it possible for us to set a day aside, not for judgment (though there's plenty to go around) but for a kind of ritual cleansing and reconciliation.

We need a place and a voice, where in humility we acknowledge our wrong, a place where we can express our deep sadness and a place where we can express our need for forgiveness and reconciliation.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:31 PM

Kathy (Nova_Scotia) wrote:

With all due respect Kathy, people voluntarily chose to be in the RCMP. I’m sure their jobs are onerous but again, they chose this career fully knowing the risks involved and this has no bearing on the situation at hand.

A tragic mistake was made and all your rhetoric regarding deceased RCMP officers does not change the fact that an innocent man died at the hands of our police force.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:26 PM

These RCMP officers did the wrong judjment. One or two persons can sometimes make a bad judment; but not four concurently! There is urgent need to investigate their training and rectify.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:20 PM

I am sure these officers will be punished accordingly, suspended with pay till this all blows over, Bravo Canada!!! The RCMP should have a new motto "Taser them all and let God sort them out"

Posted November 16, 2007 07:20 PM

I would really like the media to stop jumping all over the police and the taser and watch the video. At 6:34 in the video you can clearly see a black object on the counter (possibly a metal stapler). At 6:41 you can see that object is gone. Then at 6:47 just after he is tasered you can see that he has that object (a weapon) in his hands. The police even motion for him to put in on the counter. I don't see anything wrong with what the police did. An armed deranged man who was destroying property. Watch the video before you are so quick to jump all over the police. They put their lives on the line every day so that we can stay safe.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:19 PM

Very sad. Human life is very precious and to see one cut short with no just cause or great crime by the victim. The poor mother , what should have been a day of great joy is now family tradgey and a day of National Shame. There is no justification for what happen, no matter how you spin it that man died for no reason.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:14 PM

Once again RCMP proved that they are mere hooligans in neat uniforms. Not so long ago they killed a man on the Street of Granville in Vancouver in the day light for the reason that he was armed with a metallic chain. Now they killed a man holding a chair. these 4 RCMP idiots could use their manpower to overpower the person. If the police rules do not allow this, the rules should be abolished and the brain made the rules should be burned. This should not have happened in a country like Canada, when it boasts aloud that this is the best place to live in the whole world.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:13 PM

Clearly this incident raises serious questions about the safely of Tasers and a full review is required. But without diminishing that fact, there are also serious questions about the way immigrants are admitted. Why was this man allowed in with no clear arrangement for where he was going or who was meeting him? Was he interviewed in his native language before being admitted? Did he have a history of mental illness? - certainly his actions were not those of a rational person, regardless of how tired or frustrated he might have been.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:08 PM

All the cops had to do was spent some time in understanding the situation, apply some commonsense in dealing with this quiet obviously lost, confused and completely harmless guy. Have these police officers lost all their humanity, have they become so robot like that they cannot distinguish a person with criminal intentions from one who just requires some guidance. How can a guy who just cannot communicate in english ever understand the orders ( or yellings) of the four police men ....?..i dont see any justification as to why this innocent person was tasered.

The more i observe the actions of the police force closely, it looks like the police force has been trained to approach any situation with a worst outcome. This mode of operation is serious, as any newcomer could come into the country, and if he happens to be ignorant about the modus-operandi of our "sophisticated" police force, he may just end up paying his ignorance with his life.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:07 PM

The proud history of the RCMP has ended, at least in BC. There have been several questionable deaths at the hands of the RCMP in the last couple of years and enough is enough. Taser's in the hands of power hungry enforcers or weak and scared men are not the answer to the problems we have. It is time the RCMP were given the proper training to deal with situations appropriately whether they be domestic assaults or identifying fear rather than rage in someone's eyes. The Vancouver INTERNATIONAL!!!! airport has a deep obligation to provide answers to the family and the public.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:05 PM

After watching the video, I cannot get the images out of my head. The man was so clearly distressed and upset, and in need of help.
What is so clear is that those RCMP officers had decided to use tazers before they even approached the man. He offerred them no immediate threat, and there was no one in the immediate vicinity under threat. Yes, they wanted the situation resolved as quickly as possible. And regarding this "excited delerium" (in a woman it would be called hysteria, if he was obviously in an "excited delerium" state, surely a tazer is an added stress on a heart already pushed to the limit?
I think the RCMP is trying desperately to talk its way out of a cowardly and despicable act of violence. Let's see if this video is as important in Canada as the Rodney King video....

Posted November 16, 2007 07:02 PM

I am very concerned about the actions of the 4 RCMP who were involved in the the tasering of Robert Dziekanski. I believe that these policemen did not follow established RCMP protocol with the obvious tragic results. The fact that the RCMP will not make a statement about these officers behaviour disturbs me. I believe that the RCMP NEED to make a public comment that assures Canadians that the kind of behaviours exhibited by these policemen, does not reflect on the kind of behaviour that is either explicitly or inexplicity condoned by this organzation. It is obvious that the RCMP lied to us in their initial reporting of this affair. This makes me wonder about how many times they have lied to me in the past and how many more times they will lie to me in the future. It makes me angry when I hear them hide behind the excuse that they must wait for the results of an inquiry before they can comment. Who do they think they are here to serve? An incident of this nature makes me reflect upon the nature of RCMP inner "culture". Will the RCMP "protect their own" to the detriment of their public responsibilities? I must say that as a result of this incident, I now have serious doubts about the use of tasers. Will tasers become routine in their use as a tool to subdue people with mental health problems? How many people with heart problems will die as a result of being tasered? It would appear that these "tools' do more than subdue people,they also kill people. I respect the work that the RCMP do and have good reasons to appreciate their service.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:59 PM

Watch the video carefully, pay attention to the details. The man’s behavior was far from normal; He had probably had some mental disorder. Would a healthy person behave this way breaking equipment just for lack of attention, and who could voucher that he wouldn’t take his rage on to the bystanders?
He was definitely dangerous and unpredictable and the police did their job to stop him. I am sure the officers feel terrible having to live with what happened now, but they couldn’t have predicted the sad outcome - Taser is considered to be a non-lethal weapon. Being a police officer, would you personally want to confront an unbalanced individual with a weapon in the hand just with your fists? Have you who are so soon to put labels ever been in a fight?
K Friend is right, police is always to blame: either for not fighting the crime well enough or for being too violent.
What happened is really sad and I feel for the poor woman who lost her son, but try walking in the police’s shoes before branding it as “murder”.
No, I am not in enforcement, I am just impartial.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:54 PM

I feel horrible for this man's family and for his fellow countrymen as well.
It seems the taser has become the new billy club for police forces who can't just beat people living in civilised societies.
Any sign of protest and ZAP! there ya go, we'll talk about it when you're locked in the back seat.
I know there's hundreds of reasonable and composed officers serving us in traditional respectful ways, but there's a new breed who just don't have the brains/courage to keep the taser holstered for truly violent/out-of-control subjects.
All good people are sorry for this tragedy from the heart

Posted November 16, 2007 06:53 PM

A lot of time has been spent on the 6 second video clip of a 'concerned' citizen who, it now appears, to have been more concerned on recording an event than offering any assistance. Should we not be a bit more concerned to finding out what took place during the 9 hours, 59 minutes and 54 seconds that took place in the terminal before passing judgement on the police action? I understand this individual spent a total of 10 hours in the arrival lounge after having passed through it. Let's get the whole story before condeming our security personnel for maybe considering Canadian security.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:52 PM

This was a shocking display of excessive force by the RCMP and the individual officers should be held to account. Being in the arrivals area, the man could not have had a lethal weapon so the police reaction was unwarrented.

Thankfully today's technology such as camera phones and video cameras will play an increasingly useful role in the public exposure of thugs who wear a uniform.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:51 PM

Having seen the video I can't see what the RCMP did wrong. They had an large agitated adult male acting irrationally in an airport; where security is supposed to high. They didn't know why the male was acting irrationally (mental issues or drug/alcohol use/abuse, but they attended, surrounded the male, and were giving some sort of verbal direction. The male wasn't complying as he was facing/confronting the officers. The RCMP officers didn't know if the male had a weapon but should always go in believing there is one (at least if the two recent Mountie murders are any indication). Imagine how much more dramatic the video would have been if the male pulled a concealed knife out of his waistband and stabbed one of the Mounties in the throat as they closed in to tackle him.
The Mounties are not punching bags. They should not be expected to expose themselves to risk of injury if they have the tools to end the confrontation in seconds with a Taser; which in the vast majority of cases leaves little or no injury. I don't see too many law enforcement critics or members of the news media volunteering to maybe have their jaw broken or their front teeth punched out just to minimize the risk of a suspect sustaining injuries.
I saw that all 4 still struggled to cuff him after he was on the floor. No-one should underestimate the strength of a person who is agitated due to mental illness or possible drug use. Every time an officer gets into a physical confrontation there is the chance that they could be disarmed.
While the death is tragic, from the video you can hardly say the Mounties reacted in an inappropriate way.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:50 PM

Let this man's murder at the hands of the RCMP serve as a wakeup call to what is happening to this country and our law enforcement agencies. What ever happened to "To Serve and Protect?" As citizens, we've become too complacent. Let's hope that some good will come about from Robert Dziekanski's death by forcing the changes needed so that something like this never happens again and we can again be proud to be Canadians.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:49 PM

The past few years the " RCMP " have become a disgrace to this country we call " Canada " . I would recommend this force be dismantled asap. Look back at the corruption within.Those Red Coats make by blood curtle .

Posted November 16, 2007 06:44 PM

The video show how are the RMPC officers were very weak and they do not know what to do in station like this
I think what they did was very ugly, and the uglier was the RCMP spokesman Cpl. Dale Carr said no one can judge what happened to Dziekanski by just watching the video.
no Sir you can not cover up the story like this

Posted November 16, 2007 06:43 PM

Is this the Canada that we want? Is this the RCMP behavior that we expect and deserve in a democratic country? To all of you excuse makers think before you post. This is not acceptable and never should be acceptable. These officers committed what constitutes a murder and they despite what some think should never be above the law. The rule of law must be applied or we will lose the rights and freedoms that so many of us take for granted.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:42 PM

As a retired member of the RCMP with 25 years of service I am ashamed and disgraced with the force. This is a badly broken police force, perhaps beyond repair. These officers stepped way over the line. What angers me the most is the lies and attempts to hide the issue by the police spokespersons including Dale Carr and Pierre Lemaitre. Where are the senior officers of the RCMP when it comes to talking to the press. They have absolutely no guts and always leave the talking to junior people like Lemaitre and Carr. Shame on Senior Management. Get some guts and speak to the public and admit fault when it is obviously there. Gary Bass the top man in the RCMP in BC should be in the front lines now but we have not heard from him. No Guts BASS. Earn your money and face the media and the public or get off of the pedastal.
The RCMP needs to be fixed or replace immediately.......

Posted November 16, 2007 06:41 PM

Words just can't express the way I feel about this. From the inactions of the staff at the airport to the sickening RCMP actions. I first would demand to see public apologies from the staff of the airport, from the CEO down, and customs agents involved that didn't involve themselves, begging for forgiveness. Then fire everyone of them. I hope they all feel extreme guilt. Next I want to see the 4 members of the RCMP brought up on manslaughter charges. I generally back the police but definitely not here. They should feel the shame of the nation. I want a plaque of remembrance with Roberts' picture put up in the airport stating what happened and how sorry they were for killing him. All it would have taken would have been a little act of human compassion and concern at the beginning and none of this would have happened. Maybe it wasn't their job. Just one single act!

Posted November 16, 2007 06:41 PM

Why was Mr. Pritchard filming in the first place? Probably because he recognized that the actions of Mr Dziekansk were not those of someone scared and trying to get help, but rather of someone who was being violent and soon to be in conflict with authorities. Nice of him to go find help in the 10 minutes before the police showed up. The fact the he is profiting off of this incident in pathetic...

Posted November 16, 2007 06:34 PM

The Polish Foreign Ministry want the RCMP officers named and prosecuted. Good point... what are their names? In particular, which one was the idiot with the taser? If these goons had been on the receiving end of violence we'd hear their names broadcast quickly enough. Why the silence??

Posted November 16, 2007 06:33 PM

It seems that hardly a day go by without another video of police somewhere tasering unarmed people,the elderly,a student asking a politician embarrassing questions and a man holding an infant.The disgrace in Vancouver is just more of the same.

It is clear that far too many police personnel think that being armed with a taser is a license to punish people who have the nerve to argue with them or as a substitute for professionalism in their work.

The Vancouver cowboys ought to be prosecuted for manslaughter and, if convicted sentenced to prison time as an example to others.

This is already way out of hand.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:29 PM

I feel very sad and alarmed by the terrible way this man died.
The RCMP officers should be charged with murder.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:28 PM

I watched the video last night in sheer disgust and terror. The RCMP made no reasonable attempt to negotiate with Mr. Dziekanski. They did not wait for an interpreter. The decision to use the Taser gun was pre-meditated. This was clearly the case from the conversation between the officers before they had confronted Mr. Dziekanski. There was no need for a Taser to restrain this man. He had no weapon. He was backing away with his arms raised in surrender like a scared puppy. There were 4 mounties present who collectively could have easily overpowered this man without a Taser. But none of thee options were tried first. No, use of the Taser was selected BEFORE they had even encountered the man.

"Gun happy" is a phrase that comes to mind in describing how these officers approached the situation. This incident, and several others involving law enforncement agencies in Canada makes me fearful that we are becoming a police state more intent on regulating and bullying ordinary citizens as opposed to dealing with the real threats to peace and security such as gang violence. I am ashamed as a Canadian that this is the image we now present to the world.

We need an impartial third party to review these incidents, make recommendations, and the legislation and money to enact them. Clearly, police officers and RCMP are not receiving adequate training or they lack the maturity and judgement to handle such situations. Either way, it points to a major flaw in the system, and one we can no longer be complacent about.

And where was YVR staff in this situation? They also blew it. All it took was for one person to recognize this man's distress or that of his mother when she asked for help, and bother to take the time to really help them. YVR needs to address the deficiencies in how people are processed through customs and improve language translation services.

My deepest sypathies go out to Mrs. Dziekanski and the Polish people.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:25 PM

Where is the practice of bilingualism among RCMP/police/security at airports? This is a perfect example of why officers of different ethnic background should be working at airports so that there would have been a better way of communicating as opposed to using a taser. Thus, it would had saved this man from being another death statistic in a wrongful death used by higher authorities abusing their use of power. Justice must be served.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:21 PM

Well, I'm not a cop but I can't believe the comments I've been reading by uniformed anti-authority types. More appalling are the cheap video-byte bad acting moments of politicians looking to score points. There are investigations underway and none are close to being concluded - I expect the rush to judgement from the public but politicians should understand the importance of process. Mike Farnsworth - you are a disgrace! These Police Officers are out there day after day doing the work others are too shy, too timid and too weak to attempt but you want to bash them before the facts are in? Amazing. From my point of view, it was not the airports responsibility to interpret for the immigrant traveler...he's a grown man make your own dam arrangements. The Mother? Too bad she couldn't organize the travel arrangements for her grown son better, take some responsibility because she more than any other adult is responsible. By the way, it seems to me if you take the tazer away from Police they will be drawing their guns more often and shooting people they could otherwise have tried the tazer on..but I guess that's okay. By the way, I read the research and there has never been a case where the tazaer was actually found to be the cause of death...not one. But don't let facts get in the way of the Police bashing taking place.

As for the RCMP Officers - you have my support throughout the process and if you are found to have culpability - I'm sure you will deal with that in course.

Maybe the Police should all take one week off everywhere - together at once and watch how fast the comments change when criminals are taking the things you value. I'm not disturbed or disgusted or afraid to know Police deal with situations few could...I am distrubed and disgusted with the comments of average joe.

JIMP

Posted November 16, 2007 06:21 PM

RE:Kathy (Nova_Scotia) wrote:

I love seeing the comments of people that have NO idea what members of the RCMP go through on a day to day basis when dealing with "clients". All I have to say is keep up the good work and know that there are people out here that support you and honour the fact that you're out there every single day putting your life at risk for the citizens of this fine country. Ask Chris WORDEN and Doug SCOTT. I'm sure their families would love for them to be here to answer you!

Dearest Kathy,
If the RCMP had treated Robert like a "client" he would still be alive! Clients in the "professional" world are treated with respect and care. I saw nothing of the sort in that video. In regards to those recently fallen RCMP officers: that is a completely different matter. However their training again comes into question;and, why would any law enforcement officer act alone unless the whole system is flawed. The actions of these officers who assaulted Robert are still inexcusable and dishonour the reputation of the RCMP. That is undeniable.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:17 PM

No different than shooting the man in cold blood. Period. Tasers are weapons, they discharged them without provocation, and should be tried for murder. Period. Tasers are not a DAMN JOKE your fools - I'm sick of it. SICK OF IT. Can anybody honestly say he should have been shot in the kneecaps in this situation? Then how on God's green earth can anyone ANYONE excuse RCMP's use of a DEADLY WEAPON against a man who was not in the least bit violent. They ringed around him and by god they were gonna taser him no matter what. This is being repeated again and again and again and again. Only one thing will change this behavior and it is for an officer to go to jail for murder. You can't discharge your pistol willy-nilly and I'll be damned if it is legal to discharge a taser willy-nilly. THIS IS OUT OF CONTROL. TASERS ARE DEADLY WEAPONS. IF you can't treat them with that respect, then you can go to jail you bastards.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:13 PM

in response to IS (vancouver)

Are you kidding me? You're comparing apples to oranges with your home invasion scenario. If I were to encounter a robber in my home, then CLEARLY he's a threat to me and my property. Mr Dziekanski was CLEARLY not a physical threat..his arms were held at his sides..AND there were FOUR officers there..he could have EASILY been subdued with physical force! Gimme a break! I can't believe you're defending those officers who are CLEARLY in the wrong here. They used WAYYYY more force than they needed to..without a doubt!

Posted November 16, 2007 06:11 PM

I think it is very hard to comment on the video because yes you see the story, but you are not really part of the story. You are not in the moment, you do not see everyones hand movements, you just really don't know. I can fault the officers for not performing CPR on the man, however I am uneasy at attacking the officers. I am not an officer nor have I experienced what they do, but I also remember that they are only human, and mistakes do happen. this is the worst mistake to happen, but you hope they will learn from this and make changes to the way they approach thier job. Police unfortunately are damed if they do and damned if they don't and will never be right in the eyes of society. You tell the story too soon, you are blamed for mixing up facts, you tell the story too late and you are blamed for a cover-up. You can forgive a person for committing a crime saying it was a one off, a mistake, so why are the police on this pedistal of "no mistakes".

This whole situation is sad, sad for the family and sad for the men who have to live through the fact that they have made a mistake and killed a man. Nobody wins in this situation, and it would be nice to see society focus on the changes this may bring as opposed fostering the anger and hate.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:11 PM

Before passing judgement against these officers, people should understand that they are in fact well trained to deal with volatile situations. From the video perspective you can't tell if he was reaching for something in his pants, pocket, etc... He may have had a weapon or the officers may have believed he had a weapon and was about to use it. Please don't chastise these men until all of the facts are known.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:08 PM

From the video I just saw this evening, the civilian attempting to find out what was wrong with the gentlman was CLEARLY not in any immediate danger and was saying that Robert said "he is just SO scared". It was 10 hours of waiting after being told to wait by the baggage claim. His mother saved for 6 years for that day of doom and was so excited for him to see the beauty of BC.

I'm more than stunned, I am literally aching with empathy for her and her son's fate. Everyone sitting around looking at each other as to say, "Now what?" is unforgiveable, no attempt at resucitation, common sense would tell at least ONE OF THEM TO REACT!!!

Yes indeed, THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING! Never mind damage control, justice is required. Please!

Posted November 16, 2007 06:07 PM

This was a murder. I fly through the Vancouver airport at least once a year and have no fear of terrorists; may God protect me from the RCMP.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:07 PM

First my condolences to the victims family . The two security agents at yvr completely useless and pathetic ,and who ever is in charge of it should be tazered and fired. As for the RCMP , all of the officers involved should be charged with manslaughter , but we all know there will be know charges laid . They will investigate themselves as usual and there will be recomendations put forward to better improve sercurity at yvr and that will be the end of it. There will be know justice served here.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:05 PM

This is the Canadian version of the Rodney King video.

Lets not be too quick to hang all police up from the highest tree. I think people should focus more on the problems in our system; one that should punish the bad apples. Because currently, there is none. The RCMP complaints commission is a joke.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:01 PM

I feel there are numerous problems here; first off yes the police officers involved really messed up. However, Dziekanski was obviously upset with the way he was treated at YVR. Non-Canadian passport holders are detained at immigration and are aggravated by immensely rude officials. It seems like it is in their job description to ask extremely odd, personal questions that are deliberated to enrage people. When detained at immigration, people sometimes have to wait for immensely long periods of time. Very few people will say they had a welcoming experience when first coming to Canada. I can feel for Dziekanski in his raging antics.

The police lied to the public for the number of officers involved, the number of times Dziekanski was shocked, and even the supposed violent behavior he was exhibiting towards the officers. Refusing to return the recorded footage of the incident, plus returning the camera with a new memory card says a lot. This to me displays a corrupt, self-seeking police force that rarely owns up to their mistakes. Dziekanski should not have died that night. A man's life was lost due to extremely poor judgment, and those officers involved must be harshly punished. Being a police officer does not give one the immunity for taking another's life. It may not have been the intention of the officers to kill him, however they did, and the public won't be happy until harsh charges are laid.

The police in this city have too much power. They are pretty much an independent entity within this city armed with both excessive bureaucratic power as well as killing power. Most police officers are level headed city servants, however I have come across countless drunk-with-power police officers. They're all humans in the end.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:00 PM

It's shocking to watch the video! I do think 4 RCMP can deal with one man without any Taser! "One piece evidence"? "one person's view"?? If there is no video, I might agree with that. That video definitely showed everything we needed to know.. what kind of bullshit is that RCMP saying?? I totally shook my head for those decision they made.. and really doubt they can still be RCMP with those judgment they have.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:59 PM

I only have sympathy for the victim in this case. I may be blind but this man was clearly agitated but hardly out of control as some people are saying here. Hey was complying as best he could to their ENGLISH commands and tasering this man 3 times after a mere 25 second "assessment" of the situation is WAY over the top. What disturbs me even more is the one cop pulling out the prod-shaped thing and striking Dziekanski at least three times with force. Oddly no one comments about this. This was a very brutal assault and these men must be charged.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:57 PM

This young man's tragic and unjustifiable death caused me profound anguish. The world is becoming an increasingly savage place, first of all because of apathy, selfishness and lack of sensitivity: No-one wants to take the trouble to help in cases like this: no-one noticed or cared that this man had been around for 10 hours and wasn't being helped on his way. His mother wasn't allowed to find him because it would mean that someone would have to make the effort to lift a telephone and twist rigid procedures a little, so her son was driven to desperation and ultimately executed. No-one wants to step out of line to help someone in need because "it's not in the books" and might attract reprisals. Re the police: they can't all be psychologists, but they shouldn't be brainless thugs either. I believe the problem is the climate of impunity. Lies, denials and cover-ups are invariably the modern method to deal with such deplorable and barbaric acts, which is why this video had to be made public. I hope that this poor mother has other relatives to support and comfort her because she was denied for ever the chance to give her big, strong son a welcoming embrace. As with every aviation accident, one hopes that lessons will be learnt. The world is watching to see if Canada is a good learner.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:56 PM

I have always respected our police but this video has put my respect for them at an all time low.
Our police do not have anything to lose and this is where we go wrong in entrusting them with awesome powers. When someone in Canada takes a life there must be accountability no matter who you are we must ensure that our law enforcers have as much to lose by taking a life casually as anybody else.
In my opinion there is no excuse except lazyness on the part of the 4 RCMP officers that took that life.The only independant review I will accept is a full court case with the officers charged with aggrivated assault causing death and put in front of a jury not just a judge. I think we have missed the point of what went wrong, we concentrated on the weapon,the airport,the victims' state of mind when the only important thing here is the inappropriate use of force, "period".

Posted November 16, 2007 05:51 PM

That paramilitary organisation (RCMP)needs big,big changes.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:51 PM

Should any one of us, as Canadian citizens go to another country to be treated like this... frightened, confused and scared, to be murdered by what is supposed to be the "law"... would put all of us up in arms. This is something I would expect to see in a video from another country, but not my Canada. How can one man with so many armed security personelle need to even be tasered? Why was he being held in the first place? Why was no-one there who could speak his language to help him? At the conclusion of the video it appears as if he was also hit with a baton in the head.. why? Obviously this man was frustrated and simply trying to get out, of where he felt captive. This is terrible, sad, and disgusting that my Canada could kill someone this way. I wish the mother and the family peace as this was an incredibly needless way to die.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:49 PM

I have written in twice with reasons why the police did the right thing. Why have they not been posted. Are you creatig a one sided argument to look overwhelimg stirring controvery? Shame on you CBC!

Posted November 16, 2007 05:46 PM

The four "policemen" are murderers. Plain and simple. They should be prosecuted for homicide.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:43 PM

What ever happened to serve and protect? It is now to the point that badges are being given to people with huge ego's.They did not clearly try to even understand why the man was upset! It is a shame because there is good officers then there is the ones that think they are on a higher level then you. And to think they are worried about given people who hunt for a living & sport a gun license they should start looking at the ones they are given a gun and TAZER!!!!!!It is gonna be to the point of no one wanting to call police for help because they do not speak clear english.To all officers PROTECT AND SERVE!!!!!How does it feel taking a life instead of having patients and calling someone who could of spoke to him.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:39 PM

I would like to start by offering my condolences to Mr. Dziekanski's family. It was a tragedy, no one should have to die.
I am completely dumbfounded/disturbed by the hatred and off the cuff comments made by people on this and other websites.
Most of the comments appear to be coming from total assumptions made by lay people. This man was displaying aggressive behavior, by throwing furniture and breaking computers. Mr. Dziekanski was arrestable for mischief. No REASONABLE person traveling to a foreign country would do this and then put his/her hands up in a "don't touch me" fashion. The cause of death was NOT from the taser, in my opinion, it would be from excited delirium brought on by his agitation over 10 hrs. Lactic acid build up will cause heart failure. Also there may be underlying medical predisposition.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:38 PM

Outrage, embarassment and unmitigated sorrow for the family of this poor man.
How can we have let the World we live in be overcome by bullies and fearmongers?
Police should be given a choice, carry a gun OR a Tazer. Perhaps then they would use the right judgement in determining whether these weapons are safe and should be part of the day to day police armament.
Bob

Posted November 16, 2007 05:37 PM

Being a Canadian who works in Los Angeles; 4 Police Officers, one victim and a lack of cultural/human sensibilty. I'm glad the world is having a good look at this for Police Officers everywhere. Unfortunate for Canada.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:32 PM

The officers who did this should be charged -- potentially with murder.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:26 PM

Just to remind everyone that Police do have to get tasered before they are able to use them. Just as they also have to be pepper sprayed. I do think that the police acted hastily in this situation but it is never black and white. All issues are complex and have a many different levels. For this instance you have to look at YVR security, airport polices, the lack of a translator available, police training and the information giving to police upon arrival. All of this information must be examined before coming to a conclusion. Think first, and then speak. Just because a video is released does not mean that you know everything.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:24 PM

After watching the video my first reaction was disgust in the actions of the RCMP during the incident and their deceitful comments immediately after the incident and prior to the video's release. Anyone who has worn the red serge in the past or currently wears it should be ashamed of these four officers actions as well as with the closing of ranks. The red serge is seriously stained with this poor man's untimely death and the pain his mother is enduring.

The first tragedy is the death of Mr. Dziekanski. The second will be the failing of the justice system to hold these four officers to account for their actions.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:22 PM

More comments now that I've had a moment to think about it. If tazers hadn't existed and RCMP were only armed with guns, would they have drawn their weapon at that moment? NO! Because there was no physical threat! So why did they draw their tazers? Plus not to mention there were FOUR officers..and 1 lonely man...they could have EASILY subdued him with physical restraint. I'm still beyond disgusted over this! I feel for that man's family..i really do :(

Posted November 16, 2007 05:16 PM

MURDERERS! Try these out-of-control, arrogant thugs for murder. The representative minister (Stockwell Day) should take the fall, if there is any sense of honour left in our Parliamentary system. Harper needs to issue an immediate apology to the mother, and to Poland. Vancouver airport should have translators for all major languages available at all times (there are plenty of tele-translator services available). I certainly hope those 'officers' (they don't even deserve to be called that) are already on unpaid leave - why doesn't the CBC follow up on this crime?

Posted November 16, 2007 05:15 PM

This is absolutely tragic, and unacceptable in Canada.

Obviously, this man had no weapons as he had already been on a flight and was still in customs! For those of us who choose to defend the RCMP for "all that they go through" with the unpredictable situations they face at their work, think about how threatening this man could possibly have been (he's in customs, probably starving, in an unfriendly environment, and scared as hell.) How could neither the RCMP or the Vancouver airport staff taken at least some compassion on him and made sure he knew where he was going and that he was ok? How is it that no one at the airport could have helped that mother find her son?

It is the RCMP's job to protect and serve people, not themselves. The fact that they were not going to give back the video evidence indicates that they were planning to cover this up and only serve themselves.

If any good can come of this, it would be that the RCMP would have an independent watchdog to make sure no officers use excessive force, abuse their power, or try to cover up what their officers have done in such a situation. It would also be nice to see that Canada didn't have a double standard in its justice system - at least two of those officers should be charged with murdering this individual, and all of those involved (including the head of the RCMP for trying to cover this up) should be suspended, WITHOUT PAY, arrested, and charged accordingly.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:13 PM

Ban the taser. Absolutely ban this dangerous weapon .It appears that trigger-happy cops are too anxious to use it . The conditions which would permit the use of this weapon should be much much more restrictive that they are now obviously. My personal choice is to BAN the weapon .Police officers already carry a gun , stick ,handcuffs and more. How many more weapons do they need .

Posted November 16, 2007 05:13 PM

Without Paul Pritchard’s fly-on-the-wall video, this whole tragic affair would likely have been a routine item, laundered by officialdom and relegated to the back pages. The countless thousands of outraged hearts now aching over the death of a man they never knew are a sign that we also want humanity in the arsenals of those charged with protecting us.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:10 PM

These officers should be charged with manslaughter and all RCMP procedures reviewed by an independent public body.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:06 PM

Absolutely disgusting and outrageous. That man was CLEARLY not a physical threat to anyone including those officers. I'm appalled and strongly feel the officers responsible for his death should be prosecuted.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:06 PM

I was so shocked to see the video clip. When I first heard the news about this incident, I was on the police's side. But now, I am extremly disappointed about the police. What were they doing to one man who has nothing in his hands. They killed him just because they could not communicate with him in his language. Shame on you, RCMP. Please come out to Hasting street and see the drug dealers wander there all the time. What have you done to stop it? Shame on the people who work at the airport, you could not find one who speak Polish. Shame on you, Canada, a country that always proud to be multicultural. The RCMP have just killed your reputation.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:06 PM

CPR. Plain and simple. Once this gentleman was unconsious and in obvious distress, the lack of aide given was nothing less than criminal. I hope the officers involved can reflect on their inaction and seek some sort of counciling dealing with their obvious lack of consideration for a human life. This is a weapon as deadly as a well placed bullet to some people, and it needs to be handled as such.
Was deadly force required in this situation? Only the officers and actual witness' involved can tell us.

Posted November 16, 2007 05:00 PM

To clarify the misunderstanding of the baton, the RCMP member was striking it on the ground to close it. That is the only way they can be collapsed.

The issue(s) that desperately needs to be looked at here are the following;

1) Use of Force - was it an appropriate response for 4 male officers to TASER a lone male ... NO. If it was either a lone male or female officer, than maybe.

2) Duty of Care - did anybody begin CPR/First Aid? No

3) Positional Asphyxiation - There is numerous case law on this ... Patrick Chan for instance, huge reform in Ontario from this where untrained Loblaws Employees (not even security) affecting an "arrest" for theft killed Chan from kneeling on his neck/back.

3) Neglect of Duty - needs no explanation

4) Out of a busy airport, there was not one person who spoke Polish to translate? Emergency Voice Comunication systems, make a page ... all airports have them.

5) A rabid bear who had just ravaged an entire village would see more humane treatment than Dziekanski received.

6) RCMP = Lies. Cover-Ups. Smoke and Mirrors. Hmm, only 3 months after the Commissionaire is fired, the pension scandel is buried and now the good news ...

RCMP must hire 3200 new officers over the next 5-8 years. Enough said.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:59 PM

Saddened and shocked, a completely preventable resolution to what appeared to be a less than dire situation for all involved. A needless escalation of the situation brought on by police.

It also seems to me to be excessive use of force with a weapon that needs to be looked at very closely as to it's inherent dangers.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:58 PM

The RCMP place their lives on the line for us, as so clearly shown in the recent deaths of two officers. Their work demands decisions, sometimes in a very quick time, that the average person will never experience.

Roberts death is a tragedy. A horrible result of many factors. And I feel horrible for what has happened.

The RCMP do not deserve to shoulder the blame. We all do. Where were the people trying to help this confused passenger? I am sure someone in the airport spoke Polish...and they do have an intercom system to locate such a person.

Like most things in life, this is an opportunity to look for improvement...not blame.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:56 PM

Too angry, had to say again:

These officers covered up things, this proves what they reacted was definitely wrong!

Also, for those RCMP supporters. I know there are good officers. If you think Scott died in duty could trade bad officers killing life, it's a shame on those good men too!

Posted November 16, 2007 04:56 PM

I heard about this incident when it happened and I am ashamed to say that I just dismissed it as another person going berserk and unfortunately dying from the effect of a Taser being used to subdue him.
After having seen the video, I am appalled that this could happen in Canada. From what I see, only a member of the public tried to calm this man down, airport security seemed unwilling and more likely untrained in a suitable response. The response of the RCMP was in the extreme, I saw no signs that they were in danger and yet this man was literally gunned down like a mad dog. One officer uses his nightstick a couple of times when the man is down what was he hitting?
This reminded me of the RCMP incident with the pepper spray incident a few years back. I am sure that officer suffered no consequences for his disdainful use of the pepper spray on bystanders. It remains to be seen what the outcome of this incident is. Whatever it is it will not reflect well on The RCMP or Canada.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:55 PM

The video made me sad and angry. This man was clearly in distress and needed help, not a pack mentality with the intent to harm, which as we know with a taser can lead to death, as clearly was the case. Where was the common sense? With the ratio of police to victim was a taser even necessary? Are there guidelines on the number of times a person is tasered? It's obvious from the video the officers didn't assess the situation before acting. Far too many people are dying from this device. I would like to see it outlawed.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:55 PM

Robert Dziekanski should not have died. The circumstances surrounding his death need to be investigated fully and carefully, including the suitability of the Taser as a police tool. It is unfair for the untrained public to so quickly judge the police action. Police were called to respond to a man acting violently, and they did so, as they do across the country hundreds of times a day. None of those incidents would look pretty on videotape. But it is precisely the job of the police to deal with ugly situations like that. They cannot walk away from a violent person, like you or I might. Should the police have negotiated? Do we know negotiating wasn’t tried? Should they have used bodily force instead of the Taser? Seeing Mr. Dziekanski tackled wouldn’t have looked pretty on Paul Pritchard's video either. Trusting the Taser to be non-lethal, the police used it to subdue him. Period. Why did he die? That is the question that needs to be addressed. I'm confident the RCMP and police officers everywhere want that question answered every bit as much as Mr. Dziekanski's mother does.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:52 PM

Q: "Can I Taser him?"

A: "Yes, you can?"

Notice, he doesn't ask "should I", but like a child receiving a sweet candy for 'good' behaviour, the authority gives him a 'yes'. Ah, the privileges you get when you're an RCMP goon.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:50 PM

The police have replaced their negotiating skills for a quick jolt of potential death. I saw no reason to use the taser, the man was not violent and out of control. I saw no attempt to calm him, only to intimidate. I hope the police will be held accountable for their action which boils down to misuse of power and man slaughter.
My heart goes out to the victim's mother.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:45 PM

Those people who are defending the RCMP officers for their attack on the unfortunate man in Vancouver airport should be aware that police officers from all around the world, including North America, are saying that their response was inappropriate and handled very badly.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:44 PM

Oh what a scary man... The way he didn't speak English and the way he was holding that chair... How could anyone dare break a chair and an old computer in an airport? Better taser the guy to death. Of the four officers in the altercation, why was the redhead repeatedly bashing that long object in the general direction of the man's head. The redhead was doing this while the man was on the ground in handcuffs with 3 other officers keeping him down. I guess the foreigner was still a threat beacause he was in pain and could still vocalize that pain. Did you see the concern of the four officers? Wow. A civilian in a suit had to check the man's pulse, while they all stayed on top of him - just in case he sprung back to life.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:43 PM

From the video I saw, it would appear the RCMP performed an execution, and, in coldblood, murdered an upset but otherwise innocent man. Of course, the police will get off free, and the RCMP will have 'got' their man.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:42 PM

one more reason to remove these officers from police:

from what the RCMP speakman said and the facts exposed by the video, these officers had covered up the truth. How can we trust these liers to "protect" us?

Posted November 16, 2007 04:42 PM

It was very disturbing to see our finest officers who claim to be one of the finest policing in the world behaved worst then then worst police in the world . Those four police officers should be immediately suspended till the Investigation is Underway and all attempts should be made to bring the trust and confidence in RCMP to public.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:41 PM

I'm am totally disgusted. I was for defending the RCMP, due to the difficult job they are asked to do everyday. But no one asked them to kill a man within seconds of arriving. They didn't even attempt to communicate with him. You cannot argue that he was a danger in any major way considering the zapped him with a Taser Gun in less than a minute after arriving. He didn't try attacking the officers, he didn't use a weapon... they didn't try to defuse the situation what-so-ever. They EXECUTED him. PERIOD!!!

Posted November 16, 2007 04:41 PM

I am sick over this- There should be an investigation but outside the police force as its clear they protect their own. I hope those RCMP lose their job permantly as they are an embassement to the RCMP force. Shame Shame on them - Plus a better procedure should also be in place for the people coming into Canada and to guide them through the procedures.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:38 PM

Disgusting use of force by 4 police on 1 man. Are police now made-up of weaklings who must kill to take one man down, this whole country better take control of renegade police and go back to the old british standard of policing!!!

I,m personally sick about the death of this young man at the hands of our federal police force [sic]and I expect that these police be held accountable for there mindless actions and punished to the fulliest as cowards hiding behind a tazer.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:38 PM

This is beyond horrible, this is criminal. His punishment for being frustrated, confused, and not speaking English is death? Four policemen in bulletproof vests couldn't subdue a man who was not challenging them without using a Taser? He had no weapon. He didn't strike anyone. My god, it's heartbreaking to see him suffer like that. I'm so happy that this was caught on video so that those "men" (useless cowards) can be held accountable for their actions. There is no excuse whatsoever for their overreaction to that poor man and I hope dearly that they are prosecuted for his senseless murder. Yes, murder.
My heart goes out to his poor mother. The character of the Canadian people will be judged on how this is handled. I hope you do so admirably.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:36 PM

I am appalled at the way the RCMP officers in this video acted. These clowns need to be called before a judge to answer for what they did to this man. The training/ procedures need to be examined also. Tasers should be a last resort. Shame on them for trying to suppress this video.

My sympathies to his family.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:35 PM

I have never felt so ashamed of my country. Ashamed of the lack of caring and kindness by the airport staff. Surely someone could have assisted Robert Dziekanski in the baggage area. Surely a secrurity guard could have escorted the mother into the baggage area to look for her son. I am ashamed of our national police force for acting with extreme force by tasering (electrocuting) a man without trying to defuse or calm a man who was not posing any real serious threat. They acted as bullies and they killed him. It makes me wonder what else does our police do when there is no one recording their actions. I am disgusted.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:34 PM

This kinda no-brainer definitely need to be removed from police. Police is a too important force, which handles weapons and needs high quality people who are brave, reactive, with good judgement and also a good heart!

These people lack the basic sympathy to a person who doesn't speak English and neglect the warning of airport security(what were they thinking about? going to Iraq?) Since they have interpreted a non-threatening man (even an ordinary bystander can tell so) as a terrorist, this is proof that they have too judgement to be police officers.

Also, nobody in airport approached Mr.Dziekanski and helped his mother. This is cruel of people. I understand Mr.Dziekanski looked a bit different, but this kind of people need attentions the most. Give a little kindness, this tragedy could have been avoided. (I'm not saying you need to help a phyco, use your own judgement)

Posted November 16, 2007 04:32 PM

So many questions, why why why was he detained for so many hours? He did not speak english, had no interpreter, and yet he was detained? How could customs possibly ask him any questions, or get any answers. He looked scared not hostile in the video. I felt his fear simply by watching the video. I feel for his mother right now. This should never have happened nor should it happen again. My sympathies to the family.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:30 PM

The actions of these four Mounties are brutal, criminal and it looks like they had no training to use Taser. Four RCMP officers killing a person in 24 seconds like an animal is a serious concern for all and a shame for us as Canadians. Can you imagine or can you start reading what other nations and people believe about all of us because of four stupid, no brain officers. Shame!

Posted November 16, 2007 04:25 PM

I am absolutely sickened by watching this video of a helpless, bewildered man being literally attacked by four burly RCMP members who obviously do not have a brain among them. This man had been without food or water for many hours having just flown for 9 hours and I would seriously think that his brain was no longer functioning normally from lack of nutrition. I am ashamed that my country, this Canada that we so proudly proclaim to be the best in the world, could treat a human being the way this man was treated. The Vancouver airport staff are also very much to blame for the complete lack of assistance given to this man or to his poor mother.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:25 PM

As most of You I'm in shock after watching this video. I don't want to blame the police nor airport autorities, because that's not my task, but I would like to ask all of You a question: It's a crowdy airport right?, so isn't it strange that all people are gone, watching Robert from the outer side of a glass? There is only one lady trying to communicate with Robert, while the others speculates about his nationality etc. Try to answer yourself frankly: What do You feel when You see a non-english speaking man, behaving like he's lost? He spent ~10 hours at this airport after a long jurney and there was NOBODY able to help him. Moreover, he's scared, cause he's alone in a foreign place, but WHY all other people are so affraid of him? Because he doesn't speak english? Because he looks like a stranger? Or maybe because it's safer to avoid him and wait for "experts" to come and do sht. with him?
In my opinion Robert wasn't prepared to live in the world that he entered, but this world was even less prepared to welcome him.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:24 PM

On Oct.14th 2007, how could it be that the officers came to the decision of using a Taser on Robert Dziekanski when clearly he had no weapon, was not showing any hostile or agressive behaviour towards the four RCMP officers? Why did the officers not try to employ any other means to calm down or peacefully resolve the situation? Did they try to get an interpreter? NO. Did they try hand gestures or other non-verbal cues? NO. Did they ask him for ID, so that maybe they could have found his relative at the airport? NO. Did they attempt to be diplomatic and resolve things peacefully? NO.Did the officers show any compassion for this man who was obviously very upset and troubled? NO.Should the officers be charged with the murder of this man? YES! I am absolutely DISGUSTED with how poorly this situation was handled! Shame on the officers who were involved! Shame on the RCMP detachment who have encouraged this abuse of power in the hands of officers! On Oct.14th a man was murdered for no crime other than petty vandalism of Airport property. I believe Tasers should be banned, because they are lethal. AND at the very LEAST, train the officers to use it as a LAST resort! not a first resort! And finally, why can't the police force use tranquilizer guns instead of Taser guns? Thats how they subdue other wild mammals without killing them.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:23 PM

My parents who do not speak English will be visiting me in Vancouver.
What assurances can Canadian government and RCMP give me that they will not get murdered at the airport?

Posted November 16, 2007 04:21 PM

My heartfelt condolances to Mr. Robert Dziekanski's family for the loss of their son, this incident was tragic and unwarrented. I am a very proud and patriotic Canadian and for the first time in my 45 years, I am ashamed of my country.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:20 PM

Disgusting comments posted here. NOBODY SHOULD BE MAKING CONCLUSIONS AND ACCUSATIONS FROM A SINGLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION.. A VIDEOTAPE. We live in a culture where it seems everyone wants to film everything and draw conclusions from it. People without legal expertise make pronouncements of "guilty" and "not guilty" from what they read or see. Meanwhile the individual who shot the footage has chosen to grand-stand, while showing only one side of the story. How many of you are aware that the filming of activities inside the security area of an airport, inside a customs hall, is forbidden?

The camera cannot see 365 degrees. Officers responding to an incident are under all kinds of pressure to protect others. For people here to post these kinds of unsympathetic comments about the RCMP without knowing the full extent of the story is what I find disgusting. I'm not a police officer, I don't have any relatives or friends who are, but I can appreciate that there are always two sides to the story. Let the investigation determine what happened. Everyone else keep your mouths shut! THAT people is the CANADIAN thing to do!

Posted November 16, 2007 04:10 PM

You ignorant people have no idea what members of police forces across this country deal with on a daily basis. You view a short video and believe you know the whole story. If I was a member of the RCMP in that siutaution I would have done the same thing. A chair/table CAN be a weapon regardless of what you people think.

Mistakes happen. You can't she showing yourself as a threat by holding a chair and not expect the police to take aggressive action.

I have nothing but respect for the RCMP and any other police officer that risks his life every time they put on the uniform. Keep up the good work!

Posted November 16, 2007 04:06 PM

This is absolutely absurd. The first thing the officers should have done is suspected some kind of behavioural emergency and called paramedics. The second thing they should've done is wait until an interpreter arrived. If he was confined to a secure location and clearly wasn't a threat to anyone around him, no measures were immediately necessary whatsoever. Secondly, despite the fact that they very stupidly and brazenly forcefully approached the man, he appears to have complied with their requests despite the fact he doesn't speak english, and they still shot him. They then misinterpreted pain and suffering as resistance? I'm sorry, but none of this fits with good police work. At the very least this constitutes manslaughter, but I imagine the charges can be much higher.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:05 PM

I see two sides to this issue. Firstly, I agree with most posters in that the RCMP were way too quick to utilize their taser. They probably could have diffused the situation with little or no force. However, once they did tase him he did become violent and the comments about "putting their knee in the back of the neck, etc" are ridiculous. He was clearly fighting and resisting arrest, and the knee in the back of the neck (with only the force that is necessary to control the subject) is a common control move. So when he was fighting and resisting, did they use excessive force? Absolutely not. Did they escalate the situation way too early and could they have gone a different route, absolutely yes.

Posted November 16, 2007 04:03 PM

From what Iv read the "stun gun" is used because it prevents the law enforcer from useing other extreme methods, these "non-lethal weapons" give an option other than shooting them. So by this reasoning the man would have been shot and killed anyway?!? Four big RCMP couldnt put handcuffs on him while they were steping on his kneck? I thought the RCMP were PEACE keepers.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:59 PM

Police used the sanctioned non-deadly means available and this person was clearly evident of a threating nature. I commend the RCMP for the action they took. The pacifists and bleeding heart liberals will have a field day with this and the poor RCMP rank and file will be left to the dogs. I hope Minister Day will support the actions and commend the officers involved. I wish the pacifists would walk a day in the shoes of law enforcement, better yet send the lot of them to Afghanistan for a tour of duty.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:56 PM

My reaction when I seen the video was one of total horror. I think that this should possibly put fear in any person being approached by an officer of the law. I can not understand how 4 officers approaching 1 unarmed man have need of any weapon whatsoever other than their own physical strength. It seems to me that the only reason why a taser is used instead of a gun is that there is no blood to clean-up. I believe that these officers should be suspended with-out pay and charged with man slaughter!

Posted November 16, 2007 03:53 PM

We as Canadians live in an unpredictable society. We ASK and depend on men and women of various police forces to protect and keep society safe. Why is when one incident happens, society is the first to viciously pounce and hang our police officers out to dry. How does society know what needs to change? It is very sad and unfortunate that a new visitor to Canada has died. The video taken shows one side of the story. Is there another? Yes. Why are we so quick to judge without knowing all the facts. Does a judge stop a lawyer and tell them that they are ready to make their ruling without hearing all the facts. Certainly Not.

I read other posts describing the RCMP as "disgusted" or "ashamed". What would be the solution. Take away the tazers. The tazer is a very necessary option on the police officers tool belt. Is is better to have police officers hurt and injured due to a physical struggle with a client? What happens when an officer uses a baton or discharges his firearm? Do you take her baton? Do you take his gun? Unfortunately the situations that police deal with do not always have a happy ending. People die and people get hurt.

We are first to hear when something goes bad. But does Canada hear about the 30-40 RCMP officers that worked together from 12 different detachments to rescue a kidnapped child from Drumheller Alberta. No you dont.

I beleive that an investigation is required and will provide the answers that society is looking for. Please be patient. Please, lets not judge the RCMP and other police officers based on one camera's view. When you go to sleep at night and tuck your children into bed, always remember that there is a police officer working, in a city somewhere or on a gravel road far from help.

They are there to keep you safe. Lets not lose faith in them. Say a prayer for those police officers and for Mr.Dziekanski and his mother.

This is all I can ask.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:52 PM

I have to congratulate CBC and other media networks that cover this tragic case and keep public interest in police and RCMP abuse of power. The debate about this tragedy can not be left to police internal affairs alone. I am grateful that public pressure and disclosure by Canadian media and legal action by Mr. Pritchard forced the RCMP to return confiscated footage of their crime. A few days after the horrible, appalling and brutal police squad killing of unarmed and confused Man in Vancouver the RCMP and police in Canada is under suspicion. Clearly Canadian public opinion is against them. The longer this investigation of Vancouver killing drags on the more we will have to be alert that this investigation is not forgotten or swept under public carpet. The investigation so far is secret and inconclusive. The public outrage towards RCMP will eventually spill towards our public servants in our government if nothing is done soon. The questions we want answered are many. Where is our illustrious Prime Minister in this investigation? Where is Minister of Justice? Are they participating in the police cover up? Where is premier of BC and Provincial Judges, BC Justice Ministry? Where are representatives of all levels of Canadian Justice and legal system up to the Supreme Court of Canada. If they all not interested, perhaps we will have to vote them out of the government and get in the provincial and federal governments people who would protect public rights and who would provide true security to people of Canada. I am watching the government reaction to this tragedy and nation wide outrage against CRMP. Their behavior will dictate who Canadians will vote for in the next elections. When we are abused by police we need our government to prosecute the police. So far I did not see any leadership from the people mentioned above on issues that had led to this tragedy.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:52 PM

I still agonize over the ruthless death of Ian Bush at the hands of the RCMP, the murder by police that could have been any one of our teenagers making a foolish mistake at a social event. Now this brutal and inexcusable assault on an exhausted man. What kind of thugs and bullies are we hiring into our police services? This is not my Canada, which would have welcomed a new immigrant regardless of his language abilities, like many of us who arrived without English 2 generations ago. I have felt ill for weeks over this.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:51 PM

Tasers are a preferable alternative to firearms, but police use them as an alternative to negotiation. Without tasers, police have a vested interest in negotiating. We live in a democracy, not a fascist state. Tasers should be banned outright until specific rules are put into place, to treat them as firearms, only to be used to protect lives or as subdual tactics only if the alternative of simply waiting for the person to surrender on their own is unreasonable.

Without the taser option an interpretter would have been called in to determine what the problem was and most likely a non-violent solution could have been found. Whatever medical condition this man had, the taser option is the real cause of this man's death.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:50 PM

The police should not investigate themselves.
Ontario has a Special Investigations Unit, independent of both the police and politicians, to investigate serious incidents involving police. The Director can lay criminal charges.

The Attorney-General of BC should consider this model to restore public confidence in impartial police investigations.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:49 PM

It amazes me how some people have commented that this poor man who has just flown over from Poland could have been armed. Did he not go through security? Twice?! If he did get a weapon where exactly would have he been hidding it and why was it not picked up at security?
I cried when I saw this video and can't believe that it could have happened in a country like Canada. I hope the RCMP officers that had killed this innocent man don't just get a slap on the wrist like they usually do. What is our country coming to?

Posted November 16, 2007 03:48 PM

Taser are a weapon and police should used them only in life threatening situation in this case it was miss use and officer should face the penality of the law for manslauther

Posted November 16, 2007 03:48 PM

I think that the RCMP involved in this case should be charged.I was under the impression that the RCMP were a highly trained national police force,but wow after watching these supposedly highly trained officers not even try to calm this guy down or even tackle him to subdue him,or maybe find someone that speaks his language to talk to him.Also if he was in a secure area for so long,why did the airport security not find out what was going on.I am totally disgusted with the way this was handled and it embarasses all Canadians i'm sure.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:47 PM

Quoting E.Hing, who defends the RCMP's actions:

"You do NOT know someone is unarmed until he is restrained in custody and searched. PERIOD!!!"

Mr Hing, this man had come off of an international flight and was in a secure area. He was searched with metal detectors and his baggage searched by x-ray machines for weapons, lighers, shampoo, and other dangerous terrorist tools before boarding his international flight from Poland. I would say that, beyond a shadow of a doubt, he was UNARMED. PERIOD. So please think before you go off defending the indefensible.

Murder is murder. And cowards are cowards. This footage does not lie. Criminal charges should be pressed.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:44 PM

"The result is regretful, that's all. Nobody set out to kill this guy!"

I assume you have heard of criminal negligence causing death? Sometimes intent does not matter. If the officers involved had followed their own use-of-force guidelines this would not have happened.

Of course, this gives the RCMP a black eye, with the insinuations about alcohol or drug use before the toxicology came back negative, the refusal to release the citizen's video and the whole 'circle the wagons' mentality.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:41 PM

This is why I don't have any kind of respect left for the police of any nationality any more. I am truly disgusted by the RCMP's actions. These officers do not belong in any kind of police force. The police job is to calm down the situation and solve it. Not to shot first and ask questions later. That you do in Hollywood movies or on Cops or in USA. These so called police officers belong in jail for man slaughter. I will never ever look at Canada the same way and I rather go to USA and have to deal with their morons at the border than Canada's morons. Its really sickening behaviour. I bet that they wont do a single day in jail and that the wont lose their job either.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:35 PM

The problem began with airport administration. How could no one notice this poor man wandering around for hours without offering any help? This is just as disturbing as the events that unfolded leading to Mr. Dziekanski’s death. The only person who showed any human qualities was the woman offering an open hand in an effort to calm Mr. Dziekanski down. The sad irony is that Mr. Dziekanski was probably relieved to see the RCMP arrive to finally get some help.

Its easy to view the clip and see what was then done wrong: Four RCMP members not taking the time to calm an unarmed and distraught man, and instead quickly pulling out their taser and using it more than once. And once down, seeing the knees of more than one member on Mr. Dziekanski’s back and neck while he is convulsing in agony. Ridiculous and cowardly over-kill (pardon the pun!).

However, the worst thing to see is what was NOT done: Why didn’t anyone begin resuscitation immediately? They are all just standing around him cluelessly. Thank God this tape was made public, otherwise I can only imagine the spin that would be used to wash this horrific incident away.

As the majority of posters, I am sickened, embarrassed and ashamed for the way someone who is lost, scared and cannot speak our language was treated at Canada’s 2nd busiest airport. I hope Mr. Dziekanski’s death will not be in vane: criminal charges are laid, retraining for all departments and agencies involved.

Way to go everyone! Can’t wait for all the international travellers coming for the 2010 Olympics! We’re ready for ya!!

Posted November 16, 2007 03:35 PM

This was a savage act of unprofessional RCMP officers deteriorating the reputation of peaceful Canadians in the eyes of the world. I believe by severely punishing the involved officers we have to show to the rest of the world that what occurred was neither approved nor protected by Canadians. Incidents like this one or shooting teenager Kevan Tabesh in Port Mody have showed a vast abuse of authority conducted by RCMP officers who supposed to protect not to manslaughter civilians.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:35 PM

Clearly, the RCMP had decided before they got there to use the taser...you can hear an eager officer asking another if it was ok to 'tase him'. The RCMP never should have even been involved, but they should be held criminally responsible for their poor handling of this case. It is easy to see how distressed this man was. We need to ask how he became so distressed? He had to wait 10 hours in a strange place where no one spoke his language. Apparently all those involved before this video was taken failed to help him. This is a major international airport - where was a properly trained crisis management team, an interpreter, a paramedic - anyone who could have handled this better than RCMP? The Vancouver Airport authority has a lot of explaining to do as well.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:34 PM

I was another of those who slept badly after watching the disturbing YVR video, and believe that the Province should follow Newfoundland's example and declare an immediate moratorium on the use of tasers, until this whole sad affair is sorted out. "Taser-wielding RCMP officer like kid with new toy. He couldn't wait to use it. woman claims, of Mountie who shocked her husband, 68". The details of the Kelowna tasering are found at: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/11/08/bc-taseredpaperboy.html [ CBC November 8], and there is more than a whiff of the Boy's New Toy syndrome in the Vancouver story. The CBC report of the Kelowna incident, suggests that the man was tasered as a sort of summary punishment for being snippy and uncooperative with the police. He was not exhausted from a 13 hour journey, followed by a 10 hour stay in the Airport with nothing to eat or drink, and was not drenched in sweat at the time the high-voltage shock was administered. Tasers, properly employed as an alternative to deadly force, no doubt have a place in law-enforcement, but it is clear they are being seriously misused now.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:31 PM

I am outraged. I think Canada need amnesty International to investigate our police.
If this is happening on the air port in full view I can not imagine what is happening when no body is watching. Complains against police brutality growing every day and government does nothink. Absolutly shame for Canada, maybe we need to change government if this government tolerates such a human abuse.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:30 PM

"You do NOT know someone is unarmed until he is restrained in custody and searched. PERIOD!!!"

Well, actually since he had been through not one, but two intercontinental security checks and was in a secure area, I think it would be safe to say he wasn't armed.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:29 PM

If this thing happened at Dallas Intl. Airport - nobody would be surprised. Cowboys arrived and served justice. The guy did not speak English - it is a good enough reason to taser him. At least.

But how could this happened in OVERfriendly and OVERcivilized Vancouver?

Well, this whole story shows that Canada is a country without any identity, and not that much different from Texas as it would like to be. I seriously do not see any real reason for this country to even exist. You guys should seriously think about joining US as 52nd state - you would be even bigger then Texas.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:27 PM

Horrifying. Police are here to protect and serve. There is no apparent reason for the use of force -- let alone lethal force -- that I can see, in the video.

Why did the members not attempt CPR after saying "code red"?

This calls for a full, independent, criminal investigation into the actions of the RCMP members involved -- not a cover-up. They should be immediately removed from active duty pending results of the investigation.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:23 PM

These police officers acted like a bunch of juveniles wanting to try out a new toy,obviously because they were too stupid to try any other options available to them to difuse this situation. They are an embarrassment as police officers and a shame on our country. Why are they still on active duty. Someone with some wherewithalls should suspend them and they should be charged with the death of this man.

As for all the individuals at YVR who were asked for help by his mother, I hope that video haunts you every night when you try to sleep at night.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:23 PM

TO KEVIN R. re: 'Further attention to training officers properly and ensuring they have a critical level of on-the-job experience before putting them into duty is required to keep these types of errors from continuing to occur.'

It doesn't take an Einstein to come up with a response that would be more appropriate than tasering a restless guy in need of assistance. No amount of training will ensure good judgement in a person with a screwed up head. RCMP has a tendency to hire macho type of guys with egos bigger than foreign debt and their current attitude toward officer training only endorses it.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:23 PM

Yes, this thing is big in the media, but so it should be. Someone has lost their life needlessly. A pubic crime has been committed Rather than the RCMP spokesman admit that they screwed up BIG TIME, they continue to defend this shameless bullying. WHERE are the police officers now? Why haven't they apoligized to the family of the dead man? Why haven't they apologized to the entire nation?

If they admitted that they acted improperly, or with a HUGE error in judgement, then I could start to forgive them because everyone makes mistakes. But when they tried to lie about it and cover it up, when they hide under tired official jargon, it just further disappointed and disgusts everyone.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:21 PM

This was a gross misuse of the taser. The man was doing nothing at that precise moment to warrant use of the taser. What if this individual had a mental illness ?? He wasn't posing a serious threat to the safety of himself or others, nor was he causing property damage.

SHAME on the RCMP. This makes me embarrassed to be Canadian.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:21 PM

It was horrible to see Mr. Dzieskanski's death in the video.The authorities from the RCMP ended his life so indifferently, casually and swiftly that it is truly shocking.My thoughts are with his mother. Her only son now gone, when she should be enjoying their time together.
I hope that the Prime Minister gives her our sincere condolences.
All the authorities at YVR failed her son. There are good RCMP and immigration people, but where have they all gone? We must do a lot better than this. I hope Robert's mother gets the justice she deserves.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:17 PM

As a retired law enforcement officer with CBSA I appall the handling of this situation by RCM Police officers and security personnel at the Vancouver airport. Their is no doubt that 4 officers could have and should have been able to subdue the subject without taser application. I noticed that at least one officer had his baton drawn but no indication that it was even used. The subject was disoriented in arriving at a new found home without greetings from family or friends nor could he converse in his own language with anyone. An interpreter stationed at the VIA could have quickly difused the situation as well. I hope we all have learned a lesson and implement measures throughout our nation to never allow this type of thing to ever happen again. Compensation and apologies needs to be made to the family

Posted November 16, 2007 03:16 PM

Salut

This incident is just an accumulation of errors, from everyone, including the last fatal error of not doing CPR...

Posthumous letter...

Dear Robert

I apologize, as a Canadian citizen and as a human compatriot, the despicable way the people at the Vancouver airport had treated you, and also how they had treated your mother ...

I know that it is now too late for you, you are no longer of this world ... But you are still in our midst, as much as your death is tragic, there is a bit of hope that can emerge from the inhumanity that you and your mother have faced ...

In your death you can remind the world, to everyone, that a simple gesture of kindness, of empathy, of human compassion of any of those who were working that day at the airport would be sufficient to nullify the tragedy that has followed ...

In hope that your death is an awakening for all those who know your tragic end to be more open to gestures of kindness ...

PPPPPiiieerreeeee

Posted November 16, 2007 03:15 PM

After this horrible, appalling and brutal police death squad style killing of innocent, unarmed and confused Man in Vancouver the RCMP and police everywhere in Canada should cover their faces in shame, stay inside their police stations and not show their faces in public. Clearly Canadian public and international public opinion is against them. The longer this investigation of Vancouver airport killing drags on and is covered up by police the lower is going to be the public opinion of our incompetent RCMP and police force. Police reform in this country is needed badly. It is in the best interest of RCMP to request open and independent investigation of this and other police lethal force cases. This is not going to blow away. The damage to police reputation and public trust in Canada is irreparable. Only full and open prosecution of people that caused the death of this young Polish man on Canadian soil can restore some but not much of the public confidence. Yet all we see is more police cover up and “police inquest”, “police self investigation”. This case is far beyond that. If Mr. Stockwell Day and others in our government responsible for Ministry of Justice and Canadian Justice in general do not stand up, show any leadership and order full investigation of police activities in this case by independent tribunal they will be guilty of complicity in the RCMP crimes and guilty of the same criminal negligence as the police killers in Vancouver.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:14 PM

It is an unfortunate incident what happened in Vancouver. Police have the right to enforce law and order within legal parameters. In my view Police officers in Canada do not receive proper training to handle these types of diverse situations. However, the problem starts with recruitment. In order to meet minimum entry requirements into most police departments across this country. Prospective police officers are required to have grade 12 education no more. I find this particularly interesting since any job in the private market requires some collage or university certification. Examples; legal secretary – 2 year collage diploma. Nursing Assistant – 1-year collage certificate. Your local plumber is likely to have 4 or 5 years or educational training before being fully certified. Only police officers (at least in Winnipeg) receive 6 months of formal training before being offered a full time position as an officer. This means people who protect you and everything you worked for in your whole life - are high school grads. I think the Canadian public deserves more qualified people. In the Vancouver incident police looked confused and untrained. High school diploma or 6 months of training will not prepare an individual for competant police work. Thank you.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:10 PM

Shame on RCMP! RCMP and Vancouver Police can kill legally! There's no sense of accountability in this city/country!

Aren't RCMP/police all well-trained? Couldn't they do ur something else rather than using the taser gun in face of an unarmed man?

The way RCMP has handled the incident added to the shame, liar, liar.

I rarely hear RCMP/police solving crime cases on the news but I hear very often how they kill the innocents!

I also hear how useless they are when people report their houses being broken-into!

And the recent gang problem in Vancouver!

Also, what happend to the recent car accident at Royal Oak & Kingsway, where two young guys were killed b/c a police officer rushed the red light in response to an emergency call? Is it legal to kill because they are on duty? We need justice, osociety give the police force too much right and privileges, which I think, have been abused!

Our police cannot protect us and they kill the innocents, what a world!

A very disturbed resident of GVRD

Posted November 16, 2007 03:06 PM

Given the RCMPs behavior so far, it only surprises me that they had not accidentally deleted the video while they had it. What went wrong guys ?

Murdering a visitor in the airport is one story, trying to cover it up and pretending nothing happened is another.

If these guys indeed followed the procedures, who is responsible for the airport procedures then ?

The airport is paid a lot by every traveller for their services and they cannot even afford a reasonable helpdesk for the visitors or information in the arrivals ?

Posted November 16, 2007 03:06 PM

A friend of mine was 'released' from the Montreal police force recently for smashing a rich brats face into the roof of a police cruiser. It was filmed and on national television as well. He was not justified for his particular assault, and I believe we will find that neither were these four chaps.

The National Use-of-Force Framework needs to be reinforced.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:06 PM

I counted 4 RCMP officers. And it definitely looked like unnecessary force. They had to have known that the man they were about to confront was not armed, having debarked from an earlier flight.
In light of the recent shooting of the other RCMP officers, I can understand the officers here were only too prepared to subdue as quickly as possible. However, this unfortunate incident brings one thing to light; the need to ban Tasers. They should have been banned after the first death. What if one of us should be so unlucky to cross paths with 'officers of the law' on a bad day?

Posted November 16, 2007 03:05 PM

This is an appalling display of brutality by the RCMP. Obviously the man was distraught and confused. How is it that at a Canadian "international" airport (Vancouver International Airport) there was not one Polish speaking person? Has any Canadian been at any international airport in the rest of the world where they don't speak English or French? And this province will host the Olympics? I guess the RCMP will be extra busy cleaning and polishing their tasers and taking courses from Reed Walters and the Jena police officers.

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Robert Dziekanski.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:05 PM

I am a woman unarmed and would not have been afraid of this man. Why use a taser? Also it seemed he had his hands up which is a universal action when being arrested so maybe he was doing what he thought was right. One thing we all have to realize though is that the Taser Gun is a legalized "NON-LETHAL" use of force authorized by governments aroung the world and police don't expect death to occur- but they should be banned! But where was the life saving CPR which should have been attempted by the police?

Posted November 16, 2007 03:04 PM

Name the officers. Their salary is paid by our tax dollars so we have the right to know who it was that killed this man.

Posted November 16, 2007 03:02 PM

An opportunity was missed on the day Robert Dziekanski was killed.

Everyone who came in contact with either Mr. Dziekanski or his mother, especially during the time they were both at the airport at the same time, missed an opportunity. The YVR staff missed it, the CBSA staff missed it, all the bystanders, including our new hero, Mr. Pritchard, missed it. The RCMP missed it and, by their action, forever blemished Canada's reputation - and by extension, yours and mine.

How nice it would have been to be the one who greeted the troubled Mr. Dziekanski, gave him a firm handshake and, language barrier or not, set out to help him in his newfound homeland. The smiles on their faces would have been a pleasure to see and would reinforce the kind of Canada I keep in my mind's eye.

That opportunity was not presented to me or anyone who wasn't at YVR that night. For those who were there and interacted with Mr. Dziekanski or his mother, I would like those people to examine their specific motives for working in a place like YVR. Is it just for the paycheque? Would it have killed you to escort Mr. Dziekanski's mother into the Customs hall? That would have defused the entire situation. It certainly killed Mr. Dziekanski that you didn't make that effort. And some of you had *several* opportunites to help that night. Shame on you all.

Woe is Canada and Woe are we

Posted November 16, 2007 03:01 PM

A few comments
1) While I agree that we should hear both sides of the story, it disturbs me that the police accounts are different from what is observable from the video. It casts doubt on their testimonials.
2) Regardless of what the police are told, the RCMP should have been trained to access the situation themselves instead of promptly go and blindly execute.
3) Mr. Dziekanski raised his hands and backed up when the police approached, which can be seen as resistance, but a passive one. Which guideline are the RCMP following when 4 of them are tackling an armless (no arm in hand) man who surrendered?
5) I understand how much pressure the RCMP are facing everyday, but that doesn't give them a license to kill.
6) How can an international airport not provide assistance to both the mother and the disoriented Mr. Dziekanski? Immigration officials should’ve done something to help. Why has no one looked at his passport? The officials must have, non? Why can't someone find a suitable translator?
7) Why are the RCMP not able to apply CPR to an unconscious man?
8) Why did the RCMP have to tase not once, but twice, thrice and four times? Isn't he already on the floor? Can't 4 trained adult men tackle him?
9) Why did the RCMP or Taser International think that Mr. Dziekanski continued fighting after being tasered? Has it occurred to them that Mr. Dziekanski could be just fighting for his life? Fighting for breathe?
10) 4 times 50,000 volts and 4 RCMP against 1. Isn't it a bit excessive?
11) The safety of tasers should be reviewed. Ppl could always use or abuse the tool and take away life of others, criminal or not. If there’s any possibility that the taser can indirectly cause death, then it probably should be checked.
12) Mr. Dziekanski can be seen as taking himself hostage. Is that how we deal with hostage taker? Don't they have expert negotiator to talk with the subject?
13) My sincerest condolences to the Dziekanski family.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:59 PM

Outragous!

Why not handcuff the man? Taser him? TASER HIM! This is the problem when people are armed! The temptation is all to great. I used to look upon Canada as the friendlier less violent neighbour of America. Now? Im not so sure.
Ohh i can't wait to hear what you tell the European Union about this.
The officer who did this rot in Prison because of this.
God give us strength.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:58 PM

I have just lost all the respect I had for RCMP... Not only for the way their officers dealt with the situation but for their efforts to cover up the story by trying to confiscate the recording and displaying complete lack of tact by defending their own - right from the start... If you want the public to withhold judgement before presenting full case, withhold it yourself.

Out of respect for the deceased, and a mother who just lost her son... it would be appropriate to tone down a little, officers.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:56 PM

In Canada we should be allowed to get angry and not be murdered for it.
The people should not be afraid of their government and the RCMP is an extension that represents the government. Robert was murdered for getting angry, and only should have been arrested for disturbing the peace. I hate to say it but it was murder and that is the only word that can be used for what happened. When I watch the video, I can only wonder what was going through the minds of those officers. Did they carry out there actions due to 9/11 paranoia or is this the way all officers react? . There is no way at all to justify the actions of those officers.

During the video you can hear him on the ground and you can tell something is wrong yet the RCMP officers did nothing except detain him. As an officer it is your duty to protect the public not cause harm and put fear into those that you are sworn to protect.

The officers did not even get an interpreter to understand what he was yelling about. The officers could have detained him without the use of the tazer, and the way they approached him was extremely provocative. Now the RCMP is asking the public not to be critical of their actions due to fear of criticism. I believe that this video should be shown to the public, it allows us to come to the realization that tazers should only be used in a situation that brings an immediate danger to the public. This video also brings police powers and the proper procedures for detaining a person into question.

My sympathies go out to the family of Robert and I do not want to be inconsiderate of there feelings.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:54 PM

This tragedy is getting HUGE play throughout Europe, headlining CNN Europe and in major Swedish print and electronic media. It makes me ashamed to be a Canadian. The RCMP better pursue justice and not just protect their own in this case.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:50 PM

Welcome to Vancouver....the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics....be advised that non-English speaking persons might be shot and/or abused by incompetant airport staff.
Complaints of the above nature should be directed to the friendly and helpfull Acountability experts found in most police detachments around the country.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:47 PM

Four RCMP Officers suppose to subdue the poslish immigrant,without
the use of the Taser,to many deaths in Canada by the use of this weapon,no much to say to the RCMP in the video.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:44 PM

Robert Dziekanski was clearly distressed, none of the officers appear to make any attempt to actually communicate with him in a non-threayening way. The four officers approach the man as if they are a mob, surround him and use tazer despite the very obvious absence of a threat. They knew he was in a , there was no possible way he could have harmed any of them beyond resisting arrest. Though I really want to think it is right to reserve judgment until the final RCMP report, the video evidence (which, by the way, is 'only one person's view', just as the original RCMP statement on the incident is 'only one person;s view) is released. My fear is that anything less than an unequivocal apology accepting complete culpability on the part of the officers involved and their superiors who allow this sort of lazy approach to what must be a very run-of-the-mill take down, will be nothing short of a cover up. I am a newly landed immigrant to this country, and while ignorance is widespread in many countries and institutions this incident makes me ashamed to want to be Canadian.

This is a damning indictment of RCMP attitudes to people in mental distress. There are too many cases of individuals with mental illness being tazered and this must stop. Who will step up in parliament to draft a bill on this? Let's call it Robert's Bill. My thoughts are with Robert's mother; we will never allow the RCMP to forget this incident.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:42 PM

To the RCMP, your conduct was unbecoming of a police officer or a police force. It was cowardly, incompetent and deadly.
You duty was to protect the life of everyone there INCLUDING Mr Dziekanski.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:42 PM

I as a Canadian Citiczen am appauled by this the man was frightened. If they truely felt the man was going to hurt someone, then being UNARMED, AND OUTNUMBERED why didn't they just take him down the old fashioned way. He was obviously frightened.
Giving him at least a translater would I think have been his basic right as a visitor to this Country. This is a very sad page in Canadian History. I'ld expect this kind of barbaric treatment from going to a third world country or even the States, but Canada....

The Four officers involved should all be charged for murder.
once on the ground with four cops and four sets of cuffs what was the problem, cuffs should have been ready if thats what they came after him for. One against four he stood no chance. Cops kneeson neck, junped at one time . I wonder in the post mortem exam does he have a broken neck? shortly after that no movement.
I doubt seeing the video that it was the taser that got him in the end.
DISBAND THE RCMP

Posted November 16, 2007 02:41 PM

Total abuse of power, and, unnecessary. I didn't realize we were in a police state. It seems as if the police are a law unto themselves.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:33 PM

Today, I am ashamed to call myself Canadian.

I worked closely with the police for ten years and know first hand that abuse of authority takes place.

The question..."May I taser him", posed several steps before the officers approached the man indicates to me that the decision to use the taser had been made even before a face to face with Mr. Dziekanski. .

In my opinion, the officers should be charged, possibly with manslaughter.

The government of Canada owes a public apology to Mrs. Dziekanski.

Also, perhaps the CBC could offer a website where Canadians can apologize, on behalf of their country, to Mrs. Dziekanski. I know that I would like to do that.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:33 PM

After hearing initial statement from RCMP about this brutal murder, I completely lost my faith on them. As you could see what they were doing on the spot and what they were trying to make up later on. From now on they should make public statements about any such incidents only under the LIE DETECTOR.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:32 PM

Seems many dont know [its was in News] that this victims Mother WANTED this Video released to the Public, although difficult, for reasons obvious to me. It showed the events as they happened.

Police USE Videos when they want to prove their case, why is this different when it shows the actions of some members of the RCMP not doing as they were trained ? Statements made following this by RCMP, were then contradicted by the Video.

Our heartfelt sympathy to this mans family & friends, may it never happen again, anywhere, BAN THE TASERS !

Posted November 16, 2007 02:32 PM

Hundreds (thousands?) of people have expressed how disturbing this video was to watch and their feelings of disgust and anger about the actions of the RCMP. My feelings are the same as these respondents.

I'd also like to comment on the woman who made an attempt to assist Mr. Dziekanski. She approached him alone, is of moderate stature, possibly untrained in dealing with situations of this type, not protected by safety wear, and is unarmed. Compare this with the RCMP: four in number, burly, strong men, trained (one would hope), wearing bullet-proof vests, and armed, at least, with guns and tasers. The young woman showed empathy and bravery. The RCMP showed coldness and cowardice.

From what I can see on the video, their actions directly resulted in the death of a confused, frightened human being. Whether or not ongoing investigations unearth evidence that exonerates them, I still say "Shame on You" for being such cowards.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:29 PM

I am so saddened by this video and the death of Robert. It was unnecessary, and those that think that this use of force was appropriate are clearly either misguided, ignorant or inhumane. Was there a reason for the RCMP to be there? Certainly. Was there cause to subdue this man? Perhaps. But, tasers should be a weapon of last resort, no different than guns, and there is no excuse with 4 officers present for a taser to be the first course of action.

For those of you out there that are attempting to defend the RCMP officers because of the 'good work' they do, or because recently officers have been killed, you are completely perverting the real issue at hand here. RCMP officers may face dangerous people, but they have an obligation and duty to approach each situation with care, caution and common sense. While I agree most RCMP officers do a great job, and we appreciate their services, this is not occasion where that is the case. This is a total abuse of power that should not go unpunished. I, as a Canadian, am totally ashamed by this police brutality.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:25 PM

Since I was not there, I cannot and should not judge the man nor the police.

I can express my condolences to the family, who must cope with the loss, and to the police, who must individually and collectively cope with the fallout.

If it were so easy to appraise such circumstances, there would be no need for courts of law.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:25 PM

Shame on the RCMP for abusing their positions of authority and killing an unarmed man needlessly. The officers responsible should be criminally charged with negligence causing death. And for them to allege the man was resisting arrest? The video clearly contradicts this. shame.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:21 PM

RCMP are circling the wagons. They're in damage control like never before. So it's easy to guess where their resources (our tax dollars) will now be concentrated. They will be doing whatever they can to dig up dirt on Mr. Dziekanski. They are likely already in touch with the law enforcement authorities in Poland, hoping to find SOMETHING they can release to the media which shatters the image of a helpless Polish immigrant. Not that it has anything to do with their use of force. But it's where the RCMP will be going next.

Incidentally, I thought I saw an enhanced video on somebody's website (Toronto Star?) which showed that Mr. Dziekanski had something in his right hand. I can't find it now. Did anybody else see this?

Posted November 16, 2007 02:20 PM

For Kathy from NS and others defending the officers actions, please try to remember that all the good officers in the world with the best intentions in no erases the brutal and careless actions of these four officers. If by your encouragement "keep up the good work" you mean keep storming in on the scene, failing to make any assessment and moving to potentially lethal force immediately to kill civilians who pose a low level of immediate threat to others, then you and I will have to disagree on what use of force I want peace officers to exert in my country. The point is people can be rightly disgusted, horrified and saddened by the killing of this man without disrespecting all other peace officers who do great work. I'm not sure why you are not able to make that distinction, a uniform when dawned is not magic sheild against accountability once donned, nor should it be.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:13 PM

To all the people in the world that have seen this. We Canadians would like to apologise for the brutal slaying by the rcmp and hope you see what we have to live with.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:11 PM

I watched this video on the news and what did I see, I saw a glass wall, a reasonably large desk also obstructing my view and then 4 men, Then I heard a yelp. This video presents an idea of what could have happened but only those four men there truly had the point of view of what did happen.

Its a sad fact that yes unfortunately someone had to die from this but the bigger disgust is the ignorant public, who were most definitely not there, drawing conclusions as to what exactly happened and wanting so bad to place blame on something. Barely anyone has wanted to wait for the investigations to conclude. Why not wait for investigations to conclude and then point a finger.

Any form of subduction has its death risks associated to it. Soon people are going to complain that hitting you with a baton is inhumane and then restraining yourself all together is equally inhumane. The bottom line in a situation like that is, if you were in that situation and you had to be taken down, would you rather be beaten, tasered or shot?

Posted November 16, 2007 02:10 PM

Robert Dziekanski was electrocuted as simply as one would swat a fly with an electric flyswatter. Read the warnings on the back of any electronic appliance containing a transformer and you will realize the dangers of a device such as the tazer. The physics of electricity can be constant but not the physics of the human body. Just common knowlege, is it not? Anyone who deploys such a weapon must and should be aware of the potential consquences as witnessed in the video. Yes, no smell of gunpowder or blood on the wall but a life was terminated in public and that's the reality of the event. The tradgedy does not end here as these four members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police must go home to their families and ponder their misguided deeds. May God have mercy on their souls and give the Dziekanski family the strenght to endure.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:10 PM

I am completely outraged by this situation.

To everyone saying how the RCMP go through a lot everyday and that they have to deal with "clients" appropriately:

Did the man need to be restrained? Yes.
Did the man need to be TASED??? No a chance. I don't care if the RCMP are tired, sick of dealing with difficult people, or that the majority of the RCMP (I should HOPE) would not act this way. I don't care what the current laws or guidelines say police officers can or cannot do. If the rules allow this behaviour under these circumstances, they need to be changed immediately. Given the number of deaths related to tasing (you know, your heart does run on electrical impulses), a police officer should tase someone IF AND ONLY IF pulling out a gun would also be justifiable in the situation.

They outnumbered him by several men. Yes the RCMP have jobs to do to contain disturbances but THIS WAS NOT IT. YOU GOT IT WRONG.

Unbelievable and absolutely disgusting.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:10 PM

think that the officers were justified in their actions. The victim was displaying assaultive and combative behaviour. He was displaying this behaviour to a woman who was extending her hand to him in an assisting calming manner, and he displayed the same behaviour with security and police.

He was in a state of what appears to be excited delirium, and this state mixed with a taser incident can be fatal. But I would never expect the police to calmly let a person know prior to a tasering "Sir, I am about to taser you, I think you should know that if you are in a state of exited delirium or have been involved in the use of drugs such as cocaine that may speed up your heart rate, this taser may become fatal".

I think either way, no matter what amount of force (or tools used) people would be critical of the situation and put a negative spin on it. Had that one police officer used his baton (again, which he would be justified in using because of the victims display of assaultive behaviour) it would have been called "Police Brutallity". It's a lose lose situation for all law enforcement agencies.

Now, think of this. If your son or daughter was a Police Officer, and were one of those who got called to this situation... and this man seriously injured your son or daughter... what would you be thinking then?

Posted November 16, 2007 02:05 PM

The video makes me feel sick. I am sorry for this man. I am ashamed to be a Canadian because of this. I am angry that the RCMP lied about what happened and tried to steal the video from the man who filmed it. I am saddened that no one helped this man and I would like to think I would have, but I don't know. We are all wrapped up in our own worlds and no longer have time to help our fellow man. How could this have been so difficult? He must have had a passport and plane ticket that showed he was from Poland. The RCMP lied and were on the way to a cover up, and now they get to investigate themselves.
The police officers should be immediately suspended and dealt with to the full extent of the law. In fact, should they not be tried by an international court of law?
I'm sick...

Posted November 16, 2007 02:03 PM

This may be a bad choice of words – but I was deeply shocked and now ashamed of the new image afforded to the RCMP – my new view now based solely on their attack first, asks questions latter approach they have now adopted with the aid of a taser. To see an officer of peace approaching someone and within 25 seconds of their arrival - tasering them - this is appalling. Over the years several police services promoted the politically correct term "Peace Officers" and not "Police Officers". I saw no evidence of officers working in accordance of being peaceful. I agree that Tazers serve as a valuable alternative to guns, but I do not believe that in pre-taser days an officer in less then 25 seconds would pull out a gun and shoot someone who is unarmed…! I think the bad publicity towards tasers is more of how quick they are used - many a time used unnecessarily, now that is excessive force. I feel that when an officer uses a taser – they should be subjected to a review of the situation by a civilian based review board, maybe then an Officer with think twice. But now my next question, is it the officers to blame or the higher ups in the RCMP who have failed to overlook the proper use and training of tasers and maybe misguided these officers... Diligence or due-diligence where does the blame fall?

Posted November 16, 2007 02:02 PM

I'm still wondering why no one had noticed this man wandering around alone for a lengthy period of time.

Posted November 16, 2007 02:00 PM

This innocent man was killed for nothing! What a waste of life. His crime was not understanding English. Who wouldn't be stressed after waiting 10 hours without any assistance from Airport staff. According to the translations he actually wanted (called to) the police. What an irony. I hope that as we Canadians travel the world, security and police in other countries don't jump the gun and kill us for being stressed and not knowing their language. The world press seems to have actually taken notice and watching what will be done about this. Wonderful, I hope they look very closely, especially given that Vancouver is the city that will soon be hosting the Olympics in 2010. What a black day for Canada. May his mother have peace.

Some people really need to develop their sense of empathy to be better human beings. This is yet another example of treating life with such little regard. He is suffering badly and they do nothing but continue to make him suffer (yes, excessive force, have a heart!!!). It shows that they were without feeling and mercy and their position and duty in society doesn't change that.

I've said my peace,

Marco

Posted November 16, 2007 01:59 PM

these cop's are packing licences to kill and justify it as doing their job.They were told he couldn't speak english,it was very clearly heard on the video.The RCMP is a jock today.There is no discretion in their job's,they just want a reason to lay charges against anybody for any reason,irrigardless of whether it is the nessessary thing to do or not.This ties up the justice system and only forces good people to make crooked lawyer's rich by needing to hire them for their defence.These 4 cop's need to be tried for murder ,anything less is unacceptabe.I've lost all respect for the RCMP.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:58 PM

What ever happened to Peel's Principles when it comes to policing
in today's world? As the spouse of a retired policeman, I am quite well aware of the dangers they face, but by acting within the guidelines of these principles, this unfortunate death could have avoided.

SIR ROBERT PEEL'S NINE PRINCIPLES

* The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder.

* The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of police actions.

* Police must secure the willing co-operation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public.

* The degree of co-operation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force.

* Police seek and preserve public favour not by catering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law.

* Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the exercise of persuasion, advice and warning is found to be insufficient.

* Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.

* Police should always direct their action strictly towards their functions and never appear to usurp the powers of the judiciary.

* The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:58 PM

So, we get to see an RCMP execution... dispicable. And the police ( and their political sychophants protectors ) will say this was a " unique " circumstance. etc. and the murder will go unprosecuted. Face it... no matter how this gets spun, and it will get spun like so many other lies... it was murder and it is completely unjustifiable.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:56 PM

As a former police officer, and as a Canadian, I am sickened by this video. So many protocols were not followed it literally makes me dispair. Rightfully, this matter diserves extreme scrutiny, and the officers involved diserve to be displined. Their method of restraining the individual was standard training, although quite outdated. I have significant problems with what occurred up to the tasering, many protocols seem to have been ignored just by judging from the footage, which provides far more visible evidence then we had in many a case file. Certain procedures once the man was in distress during and after restraint were also ignored.

Had I been one of the constables, I would not be able to face myself in the mirror. I would not hesitate for a second to taser an armed individual, but this was completely unneccessary in my professional opinion. I think every law enforcement officer appreciates the support that one sees even in the commentary to this article, but some of it is quite frankly ignorant of established procedures and methodologies.

There seems to be a rash of problems in the BC units of the RCMP, and a lack of will to address them. I have to say based on recent events I am not confident any of them will be addressed properly, or with full transparency, the latter which I view as being a moral obligation of accepting the responsiblity of the job.

Were I the counsel for the family, I would without hesitation recommend pursuing damages, and criminal charges, in this matter.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:56 PM

Clearly this unfortunate fellow displayed very aggressive behavior and one has to wonder why?? Language barrier or not if pulled the same stunt at a USA airport you would likely be the recipient of several 9mm slugs. Having said that one does have to put the whole matter to the "reasonable force" test. Was the force used the minimum required to subdue the individual? Perhaps the RCMP were concerned that this fellow had a bomb strapped to his chest....who knows?? In my opinion I think it best not to rush to judgment.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:53 PM

Everybody knows that, when the police arrive, you do exactly as they say, when they say. If you don't, it might get unpleasant for you.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:53 PM

Honestly, anyone who makes a big deal over this mans death is not informed. it was unfortunate that the man died, but the tazer they used is not meant to kill anyone, they did not intentionally kill this man. And just to verify, if they tazed him, he lived, and they took him to jail for a day NO ONE WOULD CARE. The officers did what they deemed was correct, they had no idea if this man was insane, drugged up, etc. yes they could have tried to take him down physically but again who knows if this man has AIDS Hep c or other diseases. tazers are not meant to kill, and it was not their intention. People who make an issue out of this... Grow up.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:51 PM

I was an immigrant of 6 years in Canada. The video really destroied my confidence and trust to police officers although I have had some unpleasure experiences of dealing with them before. But I still have confidence to Canada and its system. That this video can be published to public and having drawn so many attentions from all levels of the society is indicating the system works. Let's give more notice to this incident to bring those responsible for this tragedy to justice.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:50 PM

K Friend must be a rcmp officer or best friend of one with a comment like that. This is a small example of what is to come when crime rates are at an all time low and police force budgets and staffing are at thier highest ever. Soon they wont have enough people to persue and will look for other areas to justify thier numbers nd salaries. I have lost all respect for police and goverment in canada...this is nothing watch what is to come in the next decade!!!

Posted November 16, 2007 01:50 PM

I think it is atrocious that nothing was done to assist this man on his arrival at Vancouver airport, resulting in his death by tazer. He had had a very long international flight, apparently followed by waiting 10 hours to meet his mother in a strange country. Added to which he spoke no English. No wonder he was exhausted, confused and upset.
My questions: Why did no one attempt to assist him?
Why was no attempt made to find an interpreter? Presumably he had a Polish passport and entry permit, so someone could have determined what language he spoke. I cannot believe that there are no Polish-speaking people in Vancouver, and that one could not be found in ten hours.
Why did no one assist his mother to find her son?

If some help had been provided to him rather than a violent attack by the RCMP he would be alive today.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:50 PM

I am a doctor. It is very clear in the early part of the vidoe that Mr. D is very distressed, he is sweating and he is breathing very hard. He looks confused and clearly doesn't respond to the people who are trying to coax him out of the Customs area.They are aware that he is unable to speak English and that he is likely Russian, Several suggestions to get an interpreter are not acted on.

My expereince with police training in critical incidents -managing unknown/potentially aggressive people tells me that the approach taken by these 4 RCMP officers is a sterling example of what not to do. There was no attempt to communicate, no appropriate threat assessment, and there was overwhelming abuse of force when there was no need or apparent trigger.

The police sat around his inert body and let him die. They did nothing to institute CPR - one officer seems to be much more concerned about rolling up his taser wires. The words 'code red' have been heard on the tape and yet basic CPR is not started - the man remains lying face down and nothing is happening to ensure basic first aid to this man who is clearly unconscious.

The police officers all seem very young. They clearly have had little or no critical incident response training. This incident is a black mark against the RCMP and how they train their officers, it is a black mark on the set-up of the airport where there is a deliberate lack of communication between customs and immigration and the arrivals area. It is a black mark at the lack of effective assistance within the airport to those who arrive with no english or french language skills.

This incident is a national shame - How can we purport to welcome the world in 2010 when we keep having cock-ups like the one that happened with Mr. D and his poor mother.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:47 PM

The facts speak for themselves.

Police tasered a passenger, without trying to deescalate the situation by trying to talk to the immigrant. Airport employees probably were tired to look the other way - or how can they explain not having offered help to someone being lost?

I am absolutely outraged.

And I am (as many Europeans) most offended by the RCMP spokesman Cpl. Dale Carr who says that "no one can judge what happened to Dziekanski by just watching the video".

Dear Mr. Dale Carr. I don't need to see the video (in fact I haven't). It is absolutely clear how Mr. Dziekanski was treated at your airport.

Anyone on duty at the airport during the 14 hours of ordeal of Mr. Dziekanski should be fired on the spot. They don't deserve to be in public service.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:43 PM

This is the most disturbing story on many levels.

How is it that these four officers are still on active duty. They are a danger to society. They were like four young boys using a new toy for the first time, and as a result they are fesponsible for this man's death. When they knew he was unconscious they did nothing to try to revive him.

They are a shame to every police officer in Canada and an embarrassment to Canada. They should be removed from active duty and charged with this man's murder.

As for those others at the airport who did nothing to help his mother when she sought help from so many people, I hope this image haunts you every night when you try to sleep at night.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:42 PM

Bullies is uniforms. The officers should be prosucuted. Just because you're a cop doesn't mean you don't have to be responsible for your actions. How about some CPR guys??!! It is police policy to stand around after someone goes quiet and unconcious and not check pulse or breathing?? This event is a tradegy, and an embarrassment to Canada. This man's crime was he that he was confused and didn't speak english. Now he's dead.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:42 PM

First of all my sympathy to Robert Dziekanski's family my heart goes out to you.Ever since I watched the video I cannot get the situation out of my head.I am sickend by the actions of the RCMP and the lack of action taken by Airport Staff the death of Robert could have been prevented why did the Airport staff not take action it is very clear that Mr Dziekanski was very panic stricken as would anyone who had arrived to a strange country and kept in a secure area for the many hours that Robert did.not only was the tazering itself very hard to watch,but having to watch a dying man and no CPR administered was sickening.It is my hope that these people will be prosecuted and more training be available for other RCMP members.I wish I had more space to write as my thoughts around this whole situation I could just go on and on.before I post I would like to say thank you to the gentleman who made the video public with Mrs Dziekanski's permission it has certainly been an eye opener

Posted November 16, 2007 01:39 PM

Clearly badly trained and negligent violent idiots employed by police will go unpunished for taking innocent life (like other police men before who killed Canadians 17 times already using their new killing toys). The additional worry is that if the perpetrators of this crime go unpunished, this incident damaged Canadian reputation in Canada and abroad so much that it may invite retaliation against innocent Canadians abroad. I travel to Poland very often and was greatly received as Polish Canadian. Canada had the best reputation and sympathy and friendship of Polish people far more than any other nation. The story of Mr. Dziekanski killing and the video recording was picked up and reproduced by all major TV networks and newspapers in Poland yesterday and today.
Now the outrage and outcry caused by this killing of Polish man in Canada is so strong in Poland that I would be ashamed to admit I travel from Canada next time I travel there and perhaps it would be safer for me to travel there on Polish passport.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:38 PM

From what I see occurring in the video I believe the RCMP were doing what was necessary to subdue the individual. Generally the public have a tendency to sympathize with the person on the receiving end of force, even when it it required and no matter what the circumstances. I am sure the result of their action was never intended. My sympathy to the mans family, and the RCMP for what they will have to endure.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:36 PM

I think that by the comments posted here the general concensus is one of disgust, horror and shame. The officers involved and the following RCMP response certainly do not represent the Canada I know and I expect they will be appropriately punished, the world is watching...

Posted November 16, 2007 01:35 PM

The constitutional and human rights of Canadians and foreigners visiting Canada do not seem to apply to all of us equally and they do not exist when it is convenient to some Canadian RCMP and police officers. This incident put Canadian police and RCMP to international shame! If the police procedures, policies and instructions that led to this tragedy are wrong when they apply to use of deadly force (as it is clear in this case) then police leadership should be investigated and prosecuted for this and all 17 Taser deaths they have caused. Ultimately the responsibility rests with the Minister of Justice. He should be dismissed on this issue alone. Were any police charged and prosecuted or punished at all for causing any of the above Taser deaths in Canada? Were any police in BC punished or prosecuted for any deaths of people in their custody (even if they were shot in the back of the head by police)? I think enough is enough and public patience and trust towards RCMP is running out.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:32 PM

Is the cheap wooden chair or outdated computer terminal worth taking human life? In Canada apparently it is! Bravo Vancouver police you have killed the man and the airport furniture is now safe! Mr. Dziekanski posed danger to some $20 worth furniture only. You have defended Canada and property in Canada by killing him. It would be funny if it was not so tragic and sad! Shame on you RCMP! Shame on you Minister of Justice for allowing police to cover up this and other cases – for permitting the farce of police self investigation to continue. You obviously have no spine and political will to do what most of Canadians (who pay your salary from their taxes) demanded long time ago – to have independent external investigative body investigating police and RCMP. We want some “heads to roll” on this issue and in this case!!! We want the 4 “RCMP heads” in this case. Their careers finished in public sector, their jobs with police gone, their names release in shame to public, their bosses punished for poor police procedures and finally some of them in jail for negligently taking mans life and doing nothing when he stopped breathing.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:30 PM

How long have we to wait for autopsy results? Perhaps police will hide those also from us to serve their self serving investigation! I am sure it will be kept secret if it shows that a man was choked to death by police killer kneeling on his neck or chest while he was lying convulsing on the ground, as can be seen in the recording. Or if it shows that Mr. Dziekanski did not have any serious illness but his heart stopped as a result of the high voltage charge applied to his chest at least 3 times.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:26 PM

While it made me feel sick to see it, I am glad I did as it made me aware of what some RCMP officers are really doing with the Tasers.

Previously I had some respect for the RCMP as there are many examples of good work. Now I am ashamed of them.

If the taser is supposed to be used to decapacitate, why does it appear to be used as a torture weapon?

Posted November 16, 2007 01:26 PM

People posting on this board make me so angry. Charge the officers with murder? manslaughter? are you all stupid? You people make me sick, not these officers. With the exception of maybe 2% of the posters here I am embarassed for you all.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:25 PM

The negligent killing of innocent man (from by far more civilized country than Canada) by callous negligence and convenience of RCMP police in Vancouver who seem to behave like some police force in Russia or China, calls for the government intervention as well as state investigation and is clear proof that the independent external police investigative body is badly needed in this country. Where are federal politicians? Where is government leadership? Every body is waiting for the police self investigation which may take months and years and will probably result in statement that police officers are innocent since they followed police procedures. Is it not clear to the police that they can only use deadly force including Tasers in self defense? Why are perpetrators of this crime not in custody and in jail waiting for the police investigation to take place? Why their names and ranks were not released to public? Police releases names of suspects of crime all the time to media. This is a clear proof of cover up and so are the statements by police spokesperson on this matter.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:25 PM

After watching the gruesome video of police state style killing of unarmed and innocent man in Vancouver airport, I am ashamed to be Canadian, living in the supposedly the most beautiful and safe country in the world. Perhaps it is a lie and silly propaganda since Germans, French, Americans and British think and say the same about their countries. This and other recent cases of Canadians killed by police shatters this illusion of Canada as safe, civilized, peaceful, prosperous and perfect country. The same “accident” may happen to any of us in any province while returning from vacations abroad if we do not let police to intimidate us or show that new are upset and refuse to cooperate with police. Our lives in Canada are worth nothing it seems.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:23 PM

"I love the suggestions of get an interpretor {sic}, get him some water, ask him how he is doing and why he is upset, offer him a sandwich...these are all GREAT ideas...so next time that you are getting robbed or your house is getting broken into by someone that does not speak English...try out one of these great ideas and when that does not work, call the police so they can deal with the mess that you are not prepared to deal with yourself. "

Faulty analogy. The man was not robbing anyone, or breaking in anywhere. If anything he was barricading himself in. He was being defensive, rather than offensive; the latter is how your comments should be regarded as.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:22 PM

I need to add my voice to the many who have already commented as I'm livid that our "peace officers" would choose a violent take-down as the first option. No attempts were made to calm him down, to get an interpreter, to offer him a seat, to offer him a drink and even to offer a cigarette. Nothing! Not one shred of kindness or compassion was shown, not even after he went unconscious. How heartless have we become? It's no different than an armed gang looking for someone to waste. What a tragedy and what a commentary on our country. If this is our government's way of clamping down on criminals, look out. We could be the next "take-down" victims.
Our prime minister should issue a public apology immediately and offer compensation to the family, support the arrest and conviction of the peace officers who went way beyond reasonable force, as well as charge the Customs Agency and the Airport staff with gross negligence. From where I stand, nothing less will do.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:22 PM

I am appalled, angry, frightened and I have lost completely any trust I had in Canadian Police and justice system. I wonder who is going to protect me and my family from police brutality. The farce of police self investigation is somehow permitted to continue in this sad, sad case. The relatively young man is dead. His life, future and all he had and was going to have taken from him by RCMP in 25 seconds. Our all collective quality of life, security, decency and humanity was diminished by this killing.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:21 PM

After seeing the video, I am truely ashamed of the four RCMP officers for acting like a murderer. How can people be so cruel? As a Canadian I urge my Government to take legal actions against those officers and procecute them. Govt. should offer a national condolence to the mother and family of the dead.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:20 PM

This incident indicates that all that is left are empty words about greatness of Canada, respect of Canadians for human rights and life (including life of new immigrants), and respect for Canadian laws. Facts on the ground do no confirm this to be a reality.

Maybe we should just stop pretending to be better, disband our expensive Canadian enforcement agencies, join USA, and together enjoy fully fledged torture, racism, extra-judicial killings, extraordinary rendition, misinformation and falsification of facts by government officials, and unqualified low quality but brutal and deadly police force. And with each new kill or torture completed by police, secret service, or military, together with our brothers and sisters we could loudly yell "God bless America and Canada".

Posted November 16, 2007 01:19 PM

As well, it also seems that the only group that can be painted with the same brush is police officers. If you were to replace "RCMP" with any minority group in any of the posts below, they would be deemed extremely racist and prejudicial. Don't judge the many by the actions of a few. This statement is just as true when dealing with any group of individual.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:18 PM

Joe (Calgary) wrote:

I have just a few comments for you critics of the Police in handling this incident.....YOU WERE NOT THERE, YOU ARE NOT TRAINED TO SIZE UP A PERSON'S UNPREDICTABLE BEHAVIOR IN 5....

Take it easy Joe. Perhaps you shouldn't shout in public. Some have been tasered for exhibiting such behaviour. :)

Posted November 16, 2007 01:18 PM

Canada has abolished the death penalty very long time ago for all crimes except for trashing furniture in airports. This is punished in Canada by death by police squad!

Posted November 16, 2007 01:17 PM

To me, the evidence is clear. Why haven't charges been laid against the 4 cops? They should be arrested immediately and let the court to sort things out. I don't trust police's own investigation, given their track record.

To the 4 cops: Be like a man. Don't tarnish your uniform. Face the consequences of your coward action. Your destroyed one precious life needlessly. Understood???

Posted November 16, 2007 01:16 PM

A few points:

To the people who believe that since the person ended up dead, it justifies a charge. I disagree totally, as if they had intended on killing him, they would have just shot him.

A stapler, as he had in his hand, is a weapon that can be used and can cause serious injury (if poked in an eye or whatever). They elected to use a taser, and based on their training, that is fine. If you're going to hold anyone accountable, stop blaming the officers involved, and start blaming the policy. The officers had no intent.

Third point is that thousands of police officers of all age groups, with all sorts of medical problems (as most supervisors carry tasers) have been tasered with none of them dying or suffering any lasting effects. I really hope that the public will wait for the result of the autopsy before determining a cause of death, because as "educated" as the people of this forum are, I doubt any of them have examined the body and could diagnose a cause of death.

Fourth, officers DO have a tough job, and a lot of experience in arresting combative individuals. A decision to use force involves a lot more than what is seen on the tape, but how his face is, his stance, his fists, etc. Innocent until proven guilty applies to police as well.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:13 PM

Headline: CANADA REINSTATES DEATH PENALTY
Congratulations Canada, why waste taxpayers money by following the judicial system. Cut to to chase and just execute anyone you think deserves to die. Preferred method of execution: combination of electrocution via taser and strangulation via knee to the neck. If anyone asks questions just shoot and ask questions later.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:13 PM

the cops are loserss who murder at will

Posted November 16, 2007 01:12 PM

Hello,
I am glad that somebody filmed this incident. But what I find shocking is that most news stories now concentrate on the use of tasers and the harm a taser can do to a person, and few stories talk about the incident itself. There are many questions left unanswered. Why was this person wondering through the airport for 10 hours without any help? Why was the airport security not alerted to this man wondering through the "Secured" area for hours? Why was the mother told that her son did not arrive in Canada – this was after he went through immigration, and supposedly his information was entered into a computer system? Why didn’t the RCMP seek out a translator when they obviously knew that this guy did not understand what they were saying. And the final question, why did the RCMP lie - is it because they knew they did something wrong and they were trying to cover up?

This incident shows a blatant disregard for human life on the part of the RCMP and the airport staff. For the airport staff to completely ignore this individual for hours, and the RCMP to swarm him like a bunch of hooligans, zap him with the teser and then choke him to death, this is just not the Canada that you want to advertise to the rest of the world.

Thank you,
Agata

Posted November 16, 2007 01:08 PM

In a secure area of an international airport an individual obviously behaving quite irrationally blocks a doorway, smashes a computer on the ground and displays aggressive behaviour when confronted by the RCMP, is subdued with a taser (although quite obvious to anyone with a brain the individual still has some fight in him even after being tasered). After all of this - most of you making comments think the behaviour of the RCMP is out of line? This individual obviously should not have been traveling on his own, but hey, since Canada is a society where people have no responsibility for themselves or their actions - perhaps he should have actually had to injure a few people before the police did anything. If the so called victim had done this sort of thing in any airport in Europe there is a very good chance he would have been pumped full of bullets, after all the only option most of the guards in European airports have are guns! Last year while waiting at the airport in Paris I watched a gentleman who was frustrated that he couldn't get on a flight start making a fuss - he was asked to calm down - he didn't, about 30 seconds later he was jumped on by 6 Gendarmarie, beat into unconsiousness, shackled and taken away in less than 2 minutes. The blood on the floor was cleaned up a minute later and everyone got back into line like nothing happened. Note to self - don't be stupid while at the airport! But hey, while in the Vancouver airport go ahead, smash some equipment, block a door, act like a fool - you'll just be taken for one of the locals! My major concern is the length of time that it took the police to respond! By the sounds of it, most of the people commenting here have probably not traveled farther than White Rock. This attitude is exactly why I left Canada and now live abroad - where I am responsible for myself and my actions - and so is everyone else! Get real! Until you have had to deal with some nutcase, don't judge the RCMP.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:07 PM

i am sitting here with my daughter, we both just watched the video and cannot understand why the officers acted as they did.
after they had the guy down why was the officers hitting the poor guy. our hearts goes out to the family and we both hope that the officers that did this will be punished for what they did. also the department's decision to keep the tape should also be evalued.good work to owner for been smart to get it back and posting it. Hates the ideas that police offiers will now read my comments and will most likely be stopping me for whatever reasons. But thats life. so from my daughter and i Shame shame shame to the RCMP

Posted November 16, 2007 01:02 PM

Under normal situation, a person kill someone will be charged with murder. How about now? Are those 4 police officers licensed to kill? Are they supposed to serve and protect? Or they are supposed to kill and escape from their killing?

I wonder whether those 4 police officers can sleep well at night. They should not.

Li in Vancouver.

Posted November 16, 2007 01:02 PM

Those officers should be charged same as anyone else would be for the same actions. Weather its Manslaughter, Murder, attempted murder, accessory after the fact, Negligence of duty. I am no lawyer but any and all that apply to the 4 cops directly involved and any others who withheld the tape or reported only 3 officers.
Anything short of a complete accounting for this incident will not be tolerated by the citizenry of Canada. RCMP deserves respect, and they need to do the right thing NOW, or loose all respect.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:59 PM

I am disgusted and ashamed as a Canadian, and as a citizen of this province. The behavior displayed on the video is something I would expect from authorities in China or Burma. Robert was killed for nothing.I would like to suggest that he was murdered by common cowards or thugs. That we allow the RCMP to conduct their own investigations in matters such as this, and use tazers with such abandon,reflects poorly on our committment to a just society. THIS IS A TRAVESTY!!

Posted November 16, 2007 12:59 PM

Many years ago I arrived into this country as an emigrant from behind the iron curtain, looking for freedom and better life. I landed at the Dorval Airport, with $5.00 in my pocket, could not speak the languages, did not know anybody in Canada, had no place to go from the airport. After clearing the emigration, I was aproached by an employee of the airport and asked if I need some help and inspite of the communication challenges, this gentleman arranged to put me in contact with a person from Catholic Emigration Services, a person arrived to the airport, arranged for 2 nights at the downtown hotel, got me a taxi ride there and gave $20 for food. Also I received a contact address, where I can get a further assistence on Monday, as my arrivalnto Canada was Saturday.
What an amazing welcome to this country...I am proud Canadian now, done really well for myself and my family.
What a shock to see what happened to Mr. Robert Dziekansky.....
Even a bigger shock is that RCMP, Airport authority, Security company at the airport, local goverment, provincial goverment, federal goverment is not admitting to any fault or responsibility for this tragic death. Airport is collecting millions on improvement fees with no accountibility to anyone how this money is spend, security fees collected by federal goverment, tax $...where is the money? I hope that people responsible for this tragic event, will be found and held personally responsible,including airport board of directors, RCMP and ohers involved, so that this will NEVER happen in the future again.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:53 PM

Did anyone not see the entire first part of the video, where the individual had put chairs in front of the exit to stop people from coming in, throwing chairs and computer monitors? That to me does not seem like the actions of an individual that is calm. And if anyone can understand Polish, several times he stated to the female that approached him to stay away and leave him alone. Now no outwards expressions of 'violence' by his words, but his actions were neither reasonable nor calm. The police came into this situation anticipating a high risk situation.

I am sure the person that 'called the police' or 911 indicated that the individual was acting irrationally, and not calm and well behaved.

People should look at the whole picture, the police's job is to protect the public and themselves.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:52 PM

I think the police acted appropiately.. You have an individual who is obviously out of control. He is violent, obvious from throwing the computer. He is showing signs of an individual who is not in control of himself and is evidently a danger to people arouind him. The police reacted accordingly, especially with the person swinging a stapler as he would a weapon.
I do not believe that the police went beyond what i would call a reasonable response to this situation.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:51 PM

I am appalled and disgusted by those 4 overbearing, impatient, neglectful, careless RCMP. No afford was made whatsoever to communicate with him, calm him or at the end resuscitate him! Simple facts:
1. At the entrance, Robert seems calmer when he sees Police; he raises his hands up to indicate his readiness to surrender. At the same time they can observe that he does not have any concealed objects that could do them harm.
2. He obeys the given hand signal and calmly moves to the place where he was directed. He calmly stands with his back at the plastic wall and is surrounded by officers.
3. Without warning one of the RCMP shoots at Robert with a taser gun jolting him with 50000 Volts of electricity.
4. He screams in pain, stumbles and falls to the floor, he is jumped on cuffed and jolted again with another dose of high voltage. Cuffed unable to do anything. His neck pinned down with the knees and pressure of a 200lbs man.
5. He stops moving, stops breathing, he slowly dies watched by standing around RCMP. No CPR is attempted which could save his life.

Did he even scratched one person from the moment he arrived at that bloody airport?He was there for 10 grueling hours and yet everybody who had contact with him went home physically unharmed. The aftermath of that horrific night: one broken folding table, one broken computer and ONE DEAD MAN.We all saw shooting from the hip.Don’t write that nonsense that they had split seconds to make a decision.They had all the time they were willing to commit to this incident. Too bad they decided otherwise.TASER was the choice they made, even before they confronted the man. Would we know the truth and nothing but the truth without the film.NO WAY.If it wasn’t for the Paul Pritchard and CBC we would probably have successful RCMP cover up.Unfortunately the cops have kept the tape for one month.What do you think?Is it enough time to dig trenches and fortify their positions in case any independent inquiry will be decided?

Posted November 16, 2007 12:50 PM

It's not about tasers. It's about the police conduct and the way foreigners are treated in Canada.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:46 PM

To those here on this blog supporting what the RCMP done. Shame on You

Posted November 16, 2007 12:43 PM

I am deeply disturbed by the actions of the police in this case. I fear that they have come to regard the taser as an acceptable first response, rather than one to be used only where there is a real danger to themselves or others. It was surrealistic to watch an officer put his weight on Mr. Dziekanski's neck when the victim, who had not hurt anyone, was already on the ground and being held down by 3 other officers. The officers compounded their error by failing to administer emergency first aid when they realized his condition. This behaviour must be addressed systemically, as well as in this dreadful example.
The airport authority also has much to explain. It was their inaction over a period of many hours which left Mr. Dziekanski at the mercy of the police.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:43 PM

I am absolutely appalled by the CBC and other media outlets' overuse of this video clip. We all know what happened by now and showing the video on repeat and making it accessible at every turn is simply stripping every last shred of dignity away from this man for the sake of profit.

Shame on you CBC.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:43 PM

I cannot believe some people are protecting the RCMP. The video is so obvious and tells the whole story: Abuse of power! No one should be above the law and this should include those enforcing the law.
The RCMP officers are doing their job like any other citizen and should trialed like any other citizen. I am sad for the comments of some individuals and wonder are these people ignorant, racist or with cold feelings towards other human beings?
Airport personnel are also responsible for this tragedy and failed to do their job. They did not attempt to find an interpreter for this poor soul and calling RCMP was not required to intervene with a frustrated person. Why don’t call security within airport or find an interpreter.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:41 PM

To all those that even mildly defend these officers actions: please for God's sake give your head a shake. What an infantile generalization to be sympathetic to these officers given this glaring abuse of power.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:38 PM

I would like to know what the public reaction would have been if Mr. Dziekanski was allowed to run loose in the Airport and continue with his violent and irrational behaviour and the police stood by and did nothing, waiting for an interpretor etc......what would the public say if he threw something and it hit a small child and killed him/her....

The first cry would be "Why didn't the police do SOMETHING"... well people, the police did SOMETHING...to keep law and order and to protect the people that were in at the Airport....

Lets all just forget the fact that Mr. Dziekanski came into the Airport and started throwing things around and being violent. Had he not acted the way he had, the police would not have to have been called.....

And for those that feel they can do better...there are Recruiting offices all over the country.....come on down.....

Posted November 16, 2007 12:37 PM

I am not a scientist nor an inventor of sophisticated tools, I am just a regular individual that believed Canada is one of the most respectful countries that strongly advocates for human rights abroad and here at home. To me this instrument called Taser looks as if is one kind of the many instruments used to perform horrible torture techniques violating in an immeasurable way the human rights as it has been done in China and other countries with horrendous reputation for violating the basic human rights. I am appalled to see how easy Canadian officers were willing to use this technique of electrocution on an unarmed individual excited to come to one of the best countries in the world – as it was the case in the Vancouver International Airport. This is horrendous!!!

I am wondering if the mother of Robert has received an appropriate apology from the Chief of the RCMP or the government of Canada per say for the murder of her only son during his very first time in Canadian land.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:35 PM

wow there are alot of canadians who need to pull there heads out of there rear ends and back into reality. most people who have posted comments probably dont know that physical strength is considered more lethal then the tasers.for "u long time travelers" might know that freaking out like that won't help at all and the RCMP arent pigs and they aren't paramedics they do they're job which deal with people who break the which vandalism is against the law and the man couldn't speak and would try to communicate with police so think ur saying police our so suppose to communicate when a language barrier exists and he wont communicate with police have fun with that

Posted November 16, 2007 12:35 PM

Shame on them, they could have difused the situation without killing the poor man. The officers ought to be kicked off the force. I agree with the person who called them a pack of wild dogs. Shame, shame, shame. I hope Robert Dziekanski face haunts them every minute of every day for the rest of their lives. He was someone's son, trying to start a new life. Shame on them.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:34 PM

these officers are not definately trained in these situations. the man did not attempt to assault them and was plainly mixed up.
and after the tasers what was the officer doing with the stick when he was jamming it down????????????????
there should definately be suspensions and charges on the lead officer.
additionally..............what would we do in a real situation. it took forever for the officers to arrive. and when they did they over reacted.

THESE ARE OUR FAMOUS MOUNTIES?

Posted November 16, 2007 12:34 PM

The RCMP serve a very important role in Canadian society, performing many much-needed and often thankless services and tasks. However, the respect and appreciation most officers deserve has been critically undermined in this situation by their failure to adhere to their own COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITIES. Which states: "The employees of the RCMP are committed to our communities through: unbiased and respectful treatment of all people; accountability; mutual problem solving; cultural sensitivity; enhancement of public safety; partnerships and consultation; open and honest communication; effective and efficient use of resources; and, quality and time service"

Looks to me like these 4 officers haven't any idea what the following entail: respectful treatment of people; accountability; mutual problem solving; cultural sensitivity; public safety; open and honest communication. In view of official public statements made by the RCMP in the days following the YVR incident, it's obvious the officers reponsible for Mr. Dziekanski's demise did not report the truth to their superiors, thereby undermining their own credibilty and that of the entire force.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:33 PM

Some statements here are really strongly worded (renegades, thugs, murderers etc.) Then some seem to think that police should be supported no matter how they conduct themselves because "they put their lives on the line for us". I believe they deserve our support but they are not excused from the consequences of their bad decisions. I expect that competent and professional officers are perhaps even more offended when one of their own behaves unprofessionally because it reflects badly on them and undermines the respect that the public has for all police. I hope that when the rhetoric dies down a bit, we'll all be able to examine the situation with more calm. I started out using the words (thugs, killers...) because I was so stricken by Mr. Dziekanski's plight and the brutality of his death. I feel so badly for his mother. I still feel the officers overreacted and did not assess the situation correctly but I hope that the furor will subside enough so that all the facts that emerge will be considered fairly. It would be unfortunate if, in our efforts to redress this terrible wrong, we committed others to satisfy our need for retribution.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:33 PM

I think it was a sort of perfect storm situation which lead to this tragic event.

There were communication problem with the airport: no translator available; his mother told he had not arrived, rather than being united with him.

There were problems with the police: using a taser (apparently a potentially deadly weapon) on a person who was not violent. Surely enough people have died because of tasers that there use should be suspended--or at least greatly curtailed.

There were problems with Mr.Dziekanski. There was an article in the Kamloops Daily News this morning written by someone who interviewed Dziekanski's stepfather. Some things in the article make me wonder if possibly Mr. Dziekanski suffered from autism spectrum disorder. Certainly his behaviour at the airport was odd. If this is the case, it makes the event even more tragic.

If only... there are so many if only's. What a sad sad thing :(

Posted November 16, 2007 12:30 PM

Excessively brutal and unjustified. It's a disgrace that this should happen in Canada. I hope for a public and independant investigation!

Posted November 16, 2007 12:30 PM

It seems like everywhere you go you find people that will support this kind of action by law enforcement officials. Trying to justify someone being taser to death because he throws a chair inside a secured area at an airport is just ridiculous. Every action has its consequences, but to cause someone’s death in that manner? What ever happened to the use excessive force as a last resort? It does not seem like these individuals did their best to deal with the situation. Why were they trying to prevent this video from being released, were they trying to hide something?
The sad thing is that whatever we can say or do now will not bring this person back. Did he really deserve to die this way?

Posted November 16, 2007 12:30 PM

I know this could have been handled with less Police violence. The man did not have a weapon and he did not show any sign of extreme violence. The man could not speak English and possibly did not understand English either. An interpreter should have been on the seen. This fatal situation could have very possibly been avoided and a better outcome could have been reached. Police need to be trained in how to handle distressed people itstead of their gung-ho mentality. I beleive that the family of this man should get a huge settlement and the money be taken from the RCMP budget and a full scale independent inquiry of a third impartial party.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:29 PM

We are talking about a precious human life here. The only son of a "poor" mother. The RCMP need to stop and change immediately on its so called "standard" procedures. Every situation is different and therefore there is no standard steps or procedures. It could happen to anyone of us and that is why we all are so deeply affected by the treatment of the RCMP. Shame on the RCMP.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:28 PM

The video sickens me. That poor man. Imagine any of you going to Poland to meet your mother, who had moved there to retire .... Imagine being sleep-deprived and jet-lagged getting off a transatlantic flight (your first flight EVER!!), then getting stuck in customs for hours and hours, and not speaking a word of Polish....not being able to explain to anyone what you need.... and not knowing where your mother is, who was supposed to meet you. Might you be a little distraught? Might you be tempted to lash out, out of frustration?

I wonder what we have done, to encourage our police offices to display such knee-jerk, paranoid, aggressive, cruel behaviour.

Like one poster said, when you have a hammer, every problem becomes a nail.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:24 PM

first i bet any one who has posted is actually a police officer so before u judge the RCMP make sure u have walked a mile in there shoes. even though im not a police man i believe the RCMP did the right thing first this man couldn't speak english which the majority of bc speaks and how were police suppose to calm him down when he couldn't understand them. second he was commiting vandalism which is a CRIME throw of computer and smahing the glass with the chair. third i bet police were thinking "he has destroyed property and is walking away from us when we try to communicate what if he goes after a civillian or us next".finally where was the mother when all this happened? i would like to know. she could have waited any where she wanted to but i understand the air port said to her he hadn't arrived yet so is the police just to blame?

Posted November 16, 2007 12:23 PM

As a landed immigrant I felt sadeness and anger, and was very dissapointed in the actions from the R.C.M.P. and the YVR authority! How would you feel after a 10 hour flight and then to be put in a situation where you have to wait for another 10 hours without any service and treated like a second class citizen, in a strange country, not speaking the language. Canada will lose RESPECT around the world and from myself, for this tragic incident, where a valuelable human life was lost! My heart goes out to his mother and family...........

Posted November 16, 2007 12:18 PM

I THOUGHT IT WAS ABSOULETLY HORRIFIC.THE RCMP HAVE CERTAINLY TARNISHED THEIR IMAGE.IWORK IN A LG HOSPITAL AND IF THERE IS A PATIENT OUT OF CONTROL THAT COULD HURT HIMSELF OR OTHERS THEIR IS A CODEWHITE CALLED AND OTHERS RESPOND ,THE FIRST LINE IS TO ATTEMPT TO DIFFUSE THE SITUATION BY TRYING TO CALM THE PERSON DOWN THEN AFTER ALL ELSE HAS FAILED HE WOULD BE RESTRAINED,BUT YOU NEVER SIT ON HIM, AS THIS WOULD IMPAIR HIS BREATHING.ALSO THE FIRST RESPONSE WHEN SOMEONE HAS STOPPED BREATHING IS TO IMMEDIATELY START CPR,BECAUSE IF STARTED IMMEDIATELY THIS IS . THE ONLY CHANCE FOR REVIVAL.THE RCMP WHO WERE INVOLVED NEED TO BE SUSPENDED IMMEDIATELY AND CHARGED. I ALWAYS HAVE HAD THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR THE RCMP UP UNTIL NOW.IAM HAVING A HARD TIME TO HAVE ANY RESPECT FOR THE FORCE NOW. I HOPE THEY HAVE THE FORTITUDE TO HAVE AN INDEPENDENT BODY HANDLE THEIR INVESTIGATION

Posted November 16, 2007 12:16 PM

The responses from viewers show that people all over the world are disturbed and angry over this incident. Somehow the debate has been turned to the use of Tasers. It seems to me the weapon is not the problem but rather the gunslinger attitude of the police in the way it was used. Even our senior politicians are filp flopping all over the place. In light of the many other incidents pertaining to agressive behavior on the part of a very few Police officers and the attempted cover-ups by their superiors, we should be demanding that a civilian body be established to investigate and report on all incidents where the cops use deadly or similar force. Far to many times it is swept under the carpet with internal findings such as " the officer felt threatened" when it is quite obvious excessive, arrogant or gung-hoe attitudes were the real factor. Only an independent investigation will remove any doubt and clear or hold accountable those responsible.

My condolences to to the family of this latest unfortunate victim.

Robert Gosse

Posted November 16, 2007 12:11 PM

In Response to the following:
"khan (Montreal) wrote:
3 WORDS...WRESTLED HIM DOWN cz he has no gun no weapons at all. it really amuses me to how coward the RCMP officers are.shame shame"
You do NOT know someone is unarmed until he is restrained in custody and searched. PERIOD!!!
You do not want to get into a one on one wrestling match with an agitated violent subject (he was after all throwing around and destroying computer equipment, etc..). You want to control the situation and person in question in a quick and deliberate fashion."

1. He just got off the plane in a secure area, so he was definitely unarmed.
2. "You do not want to get into a one on one wrestling match...." - there were FOUR officers, not one.
3. While there are a few good officers that really want to serve and protect.....there are many in it for there own personal power trip.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:09 PM

To Kathy of Nova Scotia. . . this has absolutely nothing to do with the RCMP officers you mentioned being killed in the line of duty. We KNOW that they are supposed to protect us and we KNOW that they put their lives on the line every day. What we don't know is why they would not use common sense in this instance and use their training to diffuse the situation and calm the man down without IMMEDIATELY resorting to the firing of weapons. The time line here is very important. He posed no threat to them and had no weapons but their judgment was to taser him immediately and then jump on his upper body to restrain him. Clearly not what you're supposed to do after tasering someone. The combination of the man's frantic condition, being jolted with 50,000 volts and then being restrained in such a way he couln't breathe is what's at issue here. Of course the implication of cover up by the RCMP afterwards doesn't help!

Posted November 16, 2007 12:08 PM

I was sickened watching the final moments of Robert Dziekanski's life. Animals on that flight would have received more humane treatment. I felf even more sick when the RCMP's version of the story was reported on the CBC last night. The powers that be in the RCMP must really feel the Canadian public is stupid. There is NO doubt that all 4 (not 3) officers acted with complete disregard for human life. Not one even tried to resuscitate the victim. I thought it was our neighbours to the south that fired first and asked questions later!

Posted November 16, 2007 12:07 PM

I'm disgusted but not surprised that this happened. (1) Vancouver Airport is a train wreck in progress... arrogant and incompetent officials, total confusion, building poorly laid out and constantly under construction, etc. etc. Ten hours in this madhouse and who wouldn't feel like throwing a computer on the floor in desperation? Of course, with the death penalty for such terrible abuse of property I'll be careful to keep under control when I have to pass through this excuse for an airport. (2) The RCMP should overhaul itself and realise it's a police SERVICE, not a FORCE. Get rid of the suspicion that every member of the general public is a potential enemy or terrorist. You're supposed to be protecting us, you idiots. Go to Europe for some training. (3) Require every official and politician who defends the use of the taser to volunteer to be shot by one.
By the way, do the four heroic officers in the video have names?

Posted November 16, 2007 12:06 PM

And the cops always ask people - "Why did you run away from us?" Go figure. I am scared to death of the police and rightfully so. To protect and serve -- Was that the reason for cutting off the man's oxygen and blood flow after he was tased - to protect him? They treat animals far better than they treat us.

For every recording of Police brutality their are hundreds, if not thousands, of similar incidents that go unreported. All of them glossed over by the police state establishment. One cop lies and the other one swears to it. Watch-these murderors will be lying right and left to save themselves. There is only way to generate respect for the law. Charge these four(4) thugs with murder and slap them all in jail for at least ten (10) years. If it was me who accidentally tased someone to death you can bet I'd be charged, convicted, and considered a violent offender for the rest of my life. Finally, there is nore respect for human life in Asia and Europe where crazy people with weaponry are often netted or restrained at almost any cost as opposed to deadly force. We're clearly not free anymore!

Posted November 16, 2007 12:03 PM

As Cartman said when deputized, "You must respect my authoratai" and then proceeds to beat on his compliant victim. The rot in police forces begins with the culture of control-freaks pumped up on power demanding obsequience. They will demean, intimidate and use force until they impose total subsurvience. This is not a culture of "to serve and protect".

Perhaps most odious of all is the way the police try to cover for their own - including the commments posted here. It is now so obvious that police should not be the ones to investigate their misdeeds such as the manslaughter of Ian Bush.

I previously had a hard time believing young adults when they said how badly the police behave. It is no wonder youth today have such disdain for law enforcers. One must give respect to gain it.

Posted November 16, 2007 12:02 PM

This is the saddest story. There should be a coroner's inquiry without delay. I have lost all respect for the RCMP for their handling of this situation plus the lies their media officer came out with. Similarly for the airport and immigration authorities.

It is best they come out with the TRUTH before they sink themselves even further.

My sincerest sympathies to the mother Sofia.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:58 AM

A few words from the video say it all - Cathay is coming in five minutes, you're going to have three hundred people - the problem seen by the responders, both security and police was not a confused man, but an inconvienienced planeload soon to arrive. They let this time pressure push them to a wrong course of action. As for duty of care, I totally agree with other posts below - Why did no one (security or RCMP) assist him once he was subdued and passed out? Recovery position is taught in every first aid course I've ever taken (maybe 10 in my life), and is still possible with handcuffs on the guy.

The problem here is not the TASER, it is poor decisions by the responders. My condolences to the family.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:57 AM

If a security company or private citizens tried to diffuse a situation way the police did that night,especially in less than 20 seconds,they would be in jail right now.It is very clear,in the video, that an officer asked to use the tazer even before being involved with this man.The police claim we don't know the whole situation as the video is just one part and one view of the investigation.I don't know,call me stupid,but that one part of the video is running before the police even got there,so if you ask me,we do know what was going on before and during the police presence.It's despicable,and the police are already trying to cover it up and put the blame elsewhere. There are a lot of questions to be asked and the officers involved should have to answer them. Like ,is it not against the law or at least a policy in public service or police department,that you can't stand idle by a person who is dying without trying to assist them? Especially when you may be responsible for his situation!The police do know basics in c.p.r. and the like.I think to stand there and just let someone die is a moral injustice and is a sad way to display professionalism,compassion for your fellow man and just plain common sense. I'm sure if it was one of their own down on the ground not moving,that they would without a second thought,try to save their life.That's why for the most part, when I want or need help ,I hesitate to call the police,I feel they're very indifferent.They've just reinforced that feeling.The people responsible for this should be ashamed of themselves as should their families and should not be in the policing business.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:54 AM

I love seeing the comments of people that have NO idea what members of the RCMP go through on a day to day basis when dealing with "clients". All I have to say is keep up the good work and know that there are people out here that support you and honour the fact that you're out there every single day putting your life at risk for the citizens of this fine country. Ask Chris WORDEN and Doug SCOTT. I'm sure their families would love for them to be here to answer you!

Posted November 16, 2007 11:51 AM

While this is a tragic event, and no one wants to see anyone die over something like this.

But this quote makes me shake my head:

"khan (Montreal) wrote:
3 WORDS...WRESTLED HIM DOWN cz he has no gun no weapons at all. it really amuses me to how coward the RCMP officers are.shame shame"

You do NOT know someone is unarmed until he is restrained in custody and searched. PERIOD!!!

You do not want to get into a one on one wrestling match with an agitated violent subject (he was after all throwing around and destroying computer equipment, etc..). You want to control the situation and person in question in a quick and deliberate fashion.

If my family was there and there was someone throwing items around, and acting extremely agitated, I wouldn't want them running around free, I would expect to see them taken into custody.

While I am not a huge fan of the RCMP, they are damned if they do and damned if they don't.There will always be people who will cry and whine about whatever action the RCMP takes.

Law Enforcement personnel have a very short time to act and control a situation (sometimes a split second) and the media/public have years to pick apart and second guess their decision.

No officer is going out on a call looking to kill or hurt someone, but sometimes that is the result of the situation/occurance.

All Canadians are saddened by this event and our thoughts should be going out to all those involved.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:50 AM

This is horrible. The RCMP should dis-continue the use of taser guns. I had respect for this 'world-famous' police force until this. We also had a 68 year-old stroke victim tasered in KELOWNA. Those officers involved in the Vancouver matter should be charged as anyone else would- they are not above the law.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:49 AM

I can't help thinking what might have been going through Mr.Dziekanski's mind as he was on his way to Vancouver to meet his mother. Starting a new life in a new country must have been very exciting for him. Then to be tasered, tackled, restrained, kneed, treated like an animal and killed by the RCMP. I am appalled and sickened by this tragedy. We have seen a man die at the hands of those trained to protect us. It's time for the RCMP to put on the red serge get back on your horses and do what you're good at....photos with tourists.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:49 AM

Countless reports indicate that the autopsy failed to find a cause for Mr. Dziekanski's death, however it seems very apparent that the cause of Mr. Dziekanski's death was the tazering itself. Just like a gunshot can be the cause of death, an electric shock should be considered a cause of death. It seems that the interest lies in finding an alternate explanation to his sudden death rathering than facing the actual dangers of using tazer guns in police work.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:40 AM

There is a saying: "If your only tool is a hammer, every problem becomes a nail". Clearly the RCMP need better training and tools to handle this type of situation.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:34 AM

I have worked in the middle east and haven't seen anything as brutal and criminal as this. I am shamed by the actions our national police force.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:31 AM

The vast majority the public supports the RCMP and our police forces, but we are not cowards for being angry about this tragedy. We are not upset at law enforcement because of speeding tickets or a general disdain for police - the couple posts below are ignorant comments.

It is easy to shoot-first, ask-questions-later. It is easy to act on unconfirmed information, make snap decisions. But, that is why the RCMP are held to such a high standard. They get paid to make good decisions in difficult situations. The public outcry is reasonable given the poor decisions made by the four officers in the death of Robert.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:29 AM

Ok, the video was horrific
tons of questions run thru this ashamed to be a canadian, canadian
1. If you watch the video you will see the victim in the early stages of the video is distressed and hyperventilating..this causes one stress, possibly heart murmurs and dizzyness
2. With four officers and a quantity of security could no one have located a polish interpretator in the whole of the city ... to find the mans frustration before u ... tazer him more than once 1 might add (brutality)
3. 4 Police to one man .... I need not say more
4. when the man stopped moving and was obviously unconcious um CPR,Ambulance, Medical help .... how dumb can u be?they are police officers read my lips 911.easy number
5. my regrets to the victims family
6 The RCMP wish our respect in matters of criminal injustice...sory you wont find it here
7. I disagree with some other posters ... its terrible for the victim's family to have this video posted... but it would be swept under the rug if i wasnt posted.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:29 AM

I am sickened by the rcmps lies and lack of remorse over the Robert Dziekanski tasering and subsequent death, as are millions of people around the world. As a child it was instilled upon me to trust the police but after the Ian Bush incident and the tasering of this gentleman I will definitely look at the police as a threat to my safety. But the thing that troubles me the most and has caused me lost sleep is that the police did absolutely nothing to assist this individual once it was obvious he was lifeless. The first thing you learn as a police officer and first aider is the same… PRESERVE LIFE. The next time I see a police offer that requires assistance I will afford them the same level of assistance as they afforded Mr. Dziekanski…NOTHING.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:12 AM

Useless cops very useless...the guy calmed down when the cops came and then the idiots had to just think they will win a medal or their pay will be raised if they used a taser on him..at least someone taped that how else would we have known such a thing happened???

Posted November 16, 2007 11:08 AM

It is very easy for the majority of the general public to sit in the comfort of their homes and to judge the actions of four police officers that were doing their jobs. It is these same people that are the first to call the police when they are faced with something that they are scared of dealing with or they are a victim of a crime. I find it quite interesting that no one in the airport tried to restrain this man and people were asking "where are the police".....

You people just do not seem to understand what it takes to deal with people that are out of control, not to mention in an Airport. I love the suggestions of get an interpretor, get him some water, ask him how he is doing and why he is upset, offer him a sandwich...these are all GREAT ideas...so next time that you are getting robbed or your house is getting broken into by someone that does not speak English...try out one of these great ideas and when that does not work, call the police so they can deal with the mess that you are not prepared to deal with yourself.

It will be a very sad day when a police officer looses a life protecting one of you ignorants.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:07 AM

How much needs to go wrong before the RCMP are ever held accountable, a bunch of renegades! They seem to be hired not on merit but rather where they fit in the scale of "token"; ethnic, gender, etc. I am now a Canadian living in the deep south where "redneck" should be familiar. Never have I ever experienced worse than when I was living in canada and experiencing the RCMP first hand.
I am embarassed to share my Canadian heritage with the RCMP.
Something clearly had this man upset and it appears to have gone wrong on many levels. He didn't speak english and with all the ethnic diversity being hired by the RCMP could they not find anyone who could talk to this man in his language!?
Just a sad situation.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:06 AM

Cowardice without borders. These 4 assholes should be convicted of murder and thrown in jail for 20 years. That's the only way police may get the message.

And to Canada: when hiring police, put aside political correctness. Police officers need to be big and strong, smart and calm, so that use Tasers only where they would otherwise have to use their guns. Needles to say, this situation was a far cry from that scenario.

Posted November 16, 2007 11:05 AM

I agree wholeheartedly with the comment submitted by VJ from Kamloops.

Instead of giving the RCMP tazers, maybe they should be given education and cultural sensitivity training.

Any idiot can stick a device into some poor sap and electrocute him into submission. It takes a lot more skill, intelligence and courage to act with words and compassion.

Obviously the RCMP lacks individuals of that nature on its staff.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:55 AM

Looks like Canada stays very proud ,on how much weapons they have on the market.One suggestion, for the old and the new weapon (Taser)(checked by the experts).Why they don't try first on themselves or loved ones.Canadians can be much safer.Are people on the Airports hired to help passengers, or God forbid, shoot them? How can person stay calm, traveling many hours from Poland, then waiting ten hours at that stupid Airport, of course tired,hungry,sleepy and sweating.Many idiots were standing around him without feeling duty and respect to help the man to comfort him. And help meet his mother on another day. It was Midnight .Was not there any bench for him to sit or lie down. What was that strange woman talking to him? She just disturbed him more! Those responsible just called the RCMP (Three more idiots) Shame on the Int'l Vancouver Airport and Canada.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:50 AM

I'm ashamed. I'm travelling a lot. I was very proud caring my Canadian passport around the world. Now showing my Canadian passport to Immigrations at any country I feel guilt and shame. My shame is mixed with deepest regret that these "officers" are paid from my tax money. It would be good panishment to send them on trip to Poland, before putting them in jail for the manslaughter.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:48 AM

8min 26-30sec : what is the officer on the right doing with that stick? stabbing motion towards the ground.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:48 AM

Until I saw Paul Pritchard's video of the death of Robert Dziekanski at the Vancouver airport I believed the RCMP's version of the story. Now my soul is anguished. I applaud Mr. Pritchard's courage in bringing the truth forward. I am joining in the groundswell of opposition to the use of the Taser weapon and I have contacted my Member of Parliament to call for a public inquiry into the needless death of Mr. Dziekanski. My heart goes out to his mother.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:47 AM

Is police conduct ever accountable in the same way as a civilian? When a police officer kills someone, when does it become murder? I realize they have to deal with difficult people sometimes but in this case it seems like they prefered to use excessive force when the man was perhaps disturbed but not threatening, and it would have been possible to arrest him or even calm him down. How should discipline be given to police officers who have the responsability to carry weapons capable of killing? Otherwise we have police officers carrying weapons who know they won't be held responsable, either criminally or otherwise.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:44 AM

Disgusted. I have never been more appalled in my life. I watched the video at work, then watched it at home,and while I was explaining to my parents what had happened - I wanted to cry. I feel so bad. A mother brought her son to Canada to start a new life, and this is how he is welcomed to our country. Completely ridiculous. I've never been so mad at a situation that is so distant to me. The gentleman clearly was lost and needed some help, he was not a threat to anyone. He was seeking attention out of frustration. Not a single person would help him, or even his mother when she was looking for him. Then you get not one, but FOUR RCMP officers who taser him 3-4 times, when they could of physically restrained him with ease, if the situation called for it - which it clearly didn't. How do you justify tasering the man when there are 3 officers holding to the ground with there knees at the back of his head? Then the RCMP goes "on record" and tells what happened, but after the video is released to the public, they change there story. How can these people that are to serve and protect be trusted? Those officers, and I use that term loosely, had assessed the situation even before they arrived at the scene, and new what course of action they were going to take. These officers should be punished and jailed for murder, manslaughter, whatever you want to call it. The Canadian government needs to re-assess it's policy on the use of Tasers and methods of dealing with similar situations. As a final note, killing people as they arrive into the country is not a good way to paint a picture of Canada to the world. All this man wanted, was to start a new life with his mother in Canada, but instead his life ended. A new Canadian slogan? "Canada - come end your life with us."

Posted November 16, 2007 10:38 AM

First of all I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Dziekanski family. What has happened to our Candaian hospitality? The 4 RCMP officers acted like a pack of wild dogs dealing with the situation and have lost my respect ( well what little of it I had left for them anyways)i don't understand how 4 full grown men? cannot restain a 40 year old man in a secured area without the use of a taser at worst case senerio for them would be to wrestle him to the ground and earn your paycheque rather they hiding behing the "safty of our officers" defence when somebody is armed with a stapler!!!

Congardulations to the 4 officres who never should have been members of the RCMP in the first place on tainting the Vancouver Olympics!!!

Posted November 16, 2007 10:37 AM

I think that police should be better trained in using tasers. They should be able to assess the situation and decide if using a taser is safe or not. Obviously they only needed to shock him once but for some reason they did it twice. I am so confused as to why they didn't call for an interpreter or why they didn't try to help this man at all. I think that because a taser usually doesn't kill the police seem to think they can use it whenever they want. I would hate to see those officers wreck the RCMP's overall reputation and I hope they raise the standards so that tasering a person isn't the first thing that comes into a cops mind.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:32 AM

RCMP supporters offer the following excuses.

1.They acted hastely.
2.They did not go there to kill this guy.
3.They are faced with challenges everyday
4.They are not medical experts.
5.They did what they had to do - subdue a man who was creating a scene.
6.If he doesn't speak any language, how was he admitted into the country in the first place ?
7.Lets hide this video so we can all live in the dark.
8.The RCMP made poor judgment
9.Had the RCMP not had the taser, chances are they would have used the gun,
10. The only thing that I can conclusively determine from this whole affair is that Mr Paul Pritchard is a disgusting liar.

To them I offer the following: “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”

This is not my Canada!

Posted November 16, 2007 10:29 AM

In the eyes of the Canadian legislation makers, tasers are considered to be a non-lethal use of force option for police services across the country. The Use of Force model that is utilized by police services when determining the level of force places the use of a taser in the combative/resistent zone. Clearly, opinions are being made by individuals who have not watched the whole ten minute video of this incident. The man, who unfortunately died, had barricaded doors, destroyed a computer, and was further damaging airport property. When the police arrived, he was actively walking away from them with arms raised and needed to be restrained. This was an unpredictable man displaying unpredictable actions and, contrary to popular belief, I believe the taser was justified in this situation. Many people are expressing opinions who are not acquainted with justifiable use of force and, further, many of the same people have never found themselves remotely close to a situation where they were required to take the necessary precautions to avoid receiving a punch to the head or a bite to the arm from someone as unpredictable as this. Police are not paid to be victims of assaultive behaviour and they are provided with the tools to do their job as best as they can to protect the public, property, and themselves.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:28 AM

I would like to add my voice to those that oppose the release and publishing of this video footage. All media outlets, and especially the CBC, should have edited this piece to show some respect for the victim. In the future, a small clip and a description of the events that take place would more than suffice to inform viewers -- that we become willing spectators in this man's final moments is nearly as shocking as the incident itself.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:28 AM

As I experienced an assault and help stop a fight not too long ago, When I saw the video, I was shock. The behaviour of those four officer was of the poorest. Definitely not a representation of peace keeping. Also as a first responder, I can't believe that nothing was done to assess This polish man and help him after he fell unconscious.
This story have now gone around the world and it makes Canada look like not so friendly anymore. An apology is definitely necessary.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:27 AM

I can't believe how cowardly the RCMP have acted. An older man with no weapon poses no significant threat when he is surrounded by four officers and other security guards. At the most he needed to be talked down and treated as a person who deserves respect (not ignored for hours) rather than an object to be controlled.

The RCMP showed no compassion and opted for a "use force first" attitude. Welcome to the new Canada. My deepest sympathies go out to the family.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:26 AM

I am a former military member, our training for UN missions had us assess a treat and apply only enough force to maintain control over a given situation, and in a foreign country no less.

These RCMP officers were scared and OVER ASSESSED THE TREAT.

The RCMP take an oath to serve and protect. The oath is not serve and protect your self.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:25 AM

So tragic, so preventable on so many levels, there are almost no words. It's heartbreaking. My Polish partner said it seemed to him that he was frightened by airport security guards (maybe couldn't understand who they were or what they wanted) and trying to hold them off, saying something like, "I'll break this if they come closer." What had they done? Then he's relieved to see the RCMP (perhaps because he can read "Police" on their clothes--the word in Polish is similar). Practical advice to the airport: Teach your security people to say, "Passport", which is a similar word in many other languages (inc. Polish), if they are trying to assess someone's problem. If you go to a European airport where there's no assumption that people speak English, that is the first thing security will say to you: "Passport". Everyone who has gone through customs knows what that means. They would have found out easily that he was Polish and could have gotten a translator hours earlier.
As for the RCMP and police in general, they are shooting first with tazers and asking questions later. It's insane. There should be a moratorium on tazer use.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:24 AM

I have seen the odd post from officers (at least ones who admit they are officers) about this video. Its good to see that some of them agree that this was wrong and handled badly by the 4 officers in the video. Its nice to know that there are good officers out there who disapprove and agree with the majority of the public. Unforunately the bad ones ruin it for the good ones.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:20 AM

This is a shame. RCMP has to answer. Answers not justifications. I think there was no need for such a force. The four officers could easily contain him with bare hands.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:20 AM

I have just seen the video.
They murdered him like a pig! You can clearly hear four shots!
They had just waited till he died!
How it happens that I can hear the witnesses saying that he cant speak english and there is something wrong with him and the police just goes and shuts him. Is this a way to deal with everybody that does not speak english?
He was freaking out bad was not a threat to those officers!
Before the video I thought it was just an accident.
I am shocked!

Posted November 16, 2007 10:17 AM

Last night, when I saw this, my first reaction was horror at the society we've become.

That is not enough.

I am a Canadian. I demand:

1. The four individuals who attacked this man be put on trial for murder. The prima facie evidence on the tape is enough that only an formal open trial can settle the matter, by acquittal or conviction. Inquiries, investigations, etc. are not enough.

2. The Comissioner of the RCMP, the Minister responsible, and the Prime Minister issue convincingly sincere public statements of apology and regret.

3. Immediate reforms to the police legislation to ensure this shall never happen again.

It remains only to hang my head in utter shame and to apologize, as a Canadian, to my fellow citizen, the mother of the executed; to all Polish people; and indeed to the world.

I am sorry. I, a 38-year old man not know for sensitivity, am in tears.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:15 AM

After viewing this video I find myself disgusted with the RCMP, the Vancouver airport staff and Immigration staff.
I view the RCMP response to this situation as a third world Gestapo-like police state bullying. I am ashamed to have to accept this group of four thugs as members of our premier police force. In the interest of justice I firmly believe that these four officers should be charged and tried for murder. I do not feel comfortable with the thought that I could for some reason end up being at the mercy of a gang of police officers who believe that they can kill me for merely acting in an agitated manner. At no time in this video was a police officer in any way threatened or in any danger of bodily harm. As far as I am concerned this was a clear case of police execution.
Are we as law abiding Canadians going to have to accept the RCMP line of BS. that this was standard operating procedure? Are we as Canadians going to accept that the RCMP has the right to kill innocent people simply because they don't speak English? If criminal charges are not brought against these officers then our society and our police forces have become hopelessly corrupt.
The RCMP public relations response to all of this make me want to barf. One spokesman actually said that the use of tasers is better than the victim having broken bones! Excuse me, he is dead!!!
There seems to be a very deliberate attempt to divert a case of police brutality into a case over the use of tasers. This is an obvious diversion and a classic case of cover-your-ass politics. The simple fact is that the police acted in a completely irresponsible and criminal fashion.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:13 AM

I have just a few comments for you critics of the Police in handling this incident.....YOU WERE NOT THERE, YOU ARE NOT TRAINED TO SIZE UP A PERSON'S UNPREDICTABLE BEHAVIOR IN 5 SECONDS AND I GUESS YOU YOU FEEL THAT IN CANADA, YOU DON'T NEED THE BIG BAD POLICE AROUND ANYWAY.ESPECIALLY IN AIRPORTS ! MAYBE YOU PEOPLE SHOULD JOIN THE RCMP AND TRY YOUR HAND AT IT..SHAME ON ALL OF YOU..

Posted November 16, 2007 10:07 AM

CPR - an emergency procedure consisting of external cardiac massage and artificial respiration; the first treatment for a person who has collapsed and has no pulse and has stopped breathing; attempts to restore circulation of the blood and prevent death or brain damage due to lack of oxygen

Please, please can some public offical finally answer why this was not done by these trained officers? By all means, maybe the officers should tell us themselves. As a veteran nurse (24 years on the job) I find this to be the most disturbing aspect of this entire incident!

When will we have some answers to this?? CBC, you should be on top of this!! THIS is the real story HERE, not the taser!

Posted November 16, 2007 10:04 AM

While I find the video very disturbing, it is even more disturbing to read the comments attributed to RCMP spokesman Cpl. Dale Carr - to the effect that "no one can judge what happened to Dziekanski by just watching the video."

"It's just one piece of evidence, one person's view. There are many people that we have spoken to," RCMP spokesman Cpl. Dale Carr said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

SORRY, DALE - You are wrong - this video is, by itself, quite sufficent to show the callous disregard for proper procedure - and may be sufficent, with very little else, to convict at least one of these officers of manslaughter. Its not "one person's view"....its a fairly objective record of what happenned. Witnesses will flush out bits and pieces....but they won't change the essential facts of what we viewed.

A very, very, sad day for the RCMP, and for policing generally.

Posted November 16, 2007 10:03 AM

Another thing that disturbed me was the policeman hitting something (or someone ?) violently with a baton, when Robert was already handcuffed on the ground and probably in agony. What was the policeman doing and why ?

The situation was obviously mishandled. But why did the police lie in the following weeks ?

A part of the confusion could be attributed to that Robert was never in Canada before (actually he was flying for the first time in his life). Unlike in America, the police in Europe are generally expected to support and help people, and this is why he felt relieved and called them for help when he saw them. He obviously misjudged the situation and their intent.

Finally, two other things strike me:
The staff in *international* arrivals in Canada expects everyone to speak English ? It seems the Canadian international airports are totally not prepared to handle foreigners who speak other language.
And is the Canadian police not trained in livesaving techniques as CPR ?

I think the policemen just assumed that since Robert was not a Canadian and did not speak English, they could do whatever they wanted to him, he could not sue them anyway. Bad luck that he died and that their action was filmed. Otherwise they would get away with it. Do you think this was only an isolated incident of the attitude towards foreigners in Canadian airports ?

Even the Polish ambassador complained about being mistreated at a Canadian airport. If a diplomat sees that, what is the ordinary people's experience ?

Posted November 16, 2007 09:59 AM

I've kept watching this horrifying video over and over again, and every time I watched it I understood the situation there better. Being a Pole, I was able to understand some of what Robert Dziekanski was saying. I the more I understand it the more upset I am.

I wonder what happened before the the first video shots, but already in the beginning he was obviously frightened of some of the people behind the glass wall, probably the security. Obviously confused, he felt trapped there, and attempted to attract some attention and some help. Here is what he said in the beginning of the video, apparently addressing the airport security: "go away from me", "do you think that just because I'm in a foreign country you can ...", "you will not let me ...", "I'll sue you and you", "... I'll smash this glass". Then when he saw the police, he obviously called them for help twice. He shouted "Policja! Policja!" which means "police" in Polish. When the police approached him, talked to them calmly, I could not hear what but I believe he was attempting to complain. Then, when they started to surround him I could hear "What, are you out of your minds?" and then he got tasered for the first time.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:59 AM

Remember the Video of Rodney King in L.A. When the four Cops (white) beat the hell of that man and those cops were not convicted in the first court. The peoples were very upset they almost destroy L.A. and it lasted for three days. The court of appeal found themes Guilty.

My point is that Mr. King didn’t die but was in very bad shape by the beating but he was still a live. Here we have somebody who was calling for help! First they didn’t help the men it took them 25 second before they Tase him, and 2 minute later he was dead. Wow!
The coroner didn’t find drug or alcohol in is body. Is this a new way of beating peoples and have no accountability for using excessive force or murder someone. We should be very scared as Canadian citizen. I think we should do a silence manifest across Canada on Sunday to make Mr. Day know that he is working for the peoples of Canada not for the RCMP he is responsible for our safety not the way around. If we don’t want them to use the taser they should listen to Canadians not someone who is paid by this party or that party or a third party saying the taser can save life and all that crap. Because one day if they prove that the taser can kill peoples they will said we didn’t know were not accountable we just didn’t know sorry for the family’s or his that means that the 18 death who as happen in this country will be murders case.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:56 AM

I hope the poor mans mother was not watching that video , hard for anyone to watch. A shocking example of the indifference of those police officers to humanity and a perfect example of how they love to use their toys, seems to me the toys should be taken away and those boys put away for a time, might teach all the others that they are public servant and as such should be very well trained to handle any event.This case clearly demonstrates that they are not well trained and over-EAGER to demonstrate the power they have over all of us .GOD help CANADA if Stephen Harper gives them more powers and keeps allowing them to train with American police forces most of whom already under investigation as can be seen on any American talk show, not the kind of police any force should emulate.Take all their toys and arm them with cups of Tim Hortons Coffee a scald will not kill anyone but those boys are oh too willing.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:54 AM

Is being confused in an airport in Canada now punishable by death?

1st: If we can not provide trained police officers that can handle one confused, tired man at an airport without killing him, what state is our national police force in? 4 trained "men" could not subdue this man without killing him? In fact, they didn't even have to touch him, just get on the radio for an interpreter! The fact that they went into the situation with the intention of tasering this man is disgusting.

2nd: If we can not find competent people to staff a facility that brings foreign people into our country, then that facility should be closed down. This was not at a municipal airport, but a major international airport where 1000's of foreign people pass through every day. Are the Canadian Border, Customs and Immigration people not described as the "Front Line" of our countries defence? This is what a foreigner has to look fwd to when coming to Canada?

Posted November 16, 2007 09:47 AM

The canadian government should be shame of this case. I hope the perpetrators will be punish for the Dziekanskis death. I'm asking me how can somebody be so inhuman I'don't understand it.they were 4 he was on this airport alone...about 10 hours...nobody from the airport security or employees tried to help him. This man wanted to see his mother after so many years...Instead of his mothers..the terrible death was waiting of this poor man...
I'm SHOCKED SHAME OF YOU!!!

Posted November 16, 2007 09:45 AM

While the horrifying behavior of these RCMP officers ought to reflect most glaringly on their failings as policemen and as human beings, the greater concern has to do with the RCMP's fitness as a national police agency. Given that 18 people have died at the hands of RCMP-manipulated Tasers over the past several years, what stands revealed is a pattern of systematic sadism which could only survive in a thoroughly corrupted and self-authorizing tool of state-sanctioned terror. Police overreaching, regrettably a routine feature of today's law-enforcement geography, is bad enough; abuse of weapons that can kill, in situations involving human beings who are obviously and absolutely at the mercy of the police targeting them, is a hideous distortion of the police function of protecting our society. In this case, the criminals are not just the officers run amok, BUT THEIR ENTIRE CHAIN OF COMMAND. The RCMP's highest officials must publicly accept responsibility for this murder, and quickly resign, if RCMP is to salvage any fragments of its disintegrating reputation.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:45 AM

As an 18 year police veteran, I see several things in this video. One, I see a very unpredictable and troubled man in need of calming down, or, possibly, restraint. Two, I see four police officers who entered a situation with a predetermined plan for how to resolve it, which is clearly not the ideal way to respond. Three, I see four police officers and a myriad of airport officials who had a duty of care and did not fulfill it. No one gave this man CPR, no one put him in a recovery position and I expect the autopsy may find he died of positional asphyxia. Sad all around. This video is a necessary thing to be made public, if forn o other reason than to show the public the real world - not some Hollywood chase scene - in which we all live and work. Incredibly sad.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:41 AM

It is not since 9/11 that I have witnessed such animated discussion and upset among the people in the coffee shop I frequent. Strangers are talking to strangers about this incident. One man admitted that he cried while watching this video and could not sleep the night it was released. It has definitely struck a chord with Canadians, causing deep reflection and concern. Deliberately choosing hope and optimism, it is my greatest wish that some good will come from this most tragic incident. I am heartened by the love and compassion people are expressing for the victim and his mother, suggesting that we, as a society, have not been completely desensitized to pain, suffering and mishap. Over time, when corrective steps have finally been taken by all parties involved, we will need to find a way to express these same sentiments to those who appear in the video. Given that it is only the forced release of the video and public outrage that may prompt any action, Canadians may need to dig deeper to find the solace and peace they may be seeking.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:39 AM

8 2bucks

1) Why was Mr Dziekanski held by the airport staff [customs/security?] for so many hours?.
2)How were they able to communicate with him if he spoke only Polish.
3)Why did they release him? Was he delusional or agitated in their presence? If so why were mental heath workers/security not contacted?
4)How or Why did the airport staff not locate him when his mother required about his whereabouts for the several hours she waited at the terminal?.
5)What is the job description and qualifications for an airport security worker? Why did the security guard keep repeating that the man spoke only Russian?
6)Why didn’t the RCMP give the man more time to settle down before using the taser? Why did they taser him again after he was on the floor writhing in pain?
Without knowing the answers to the questions above, I can only say this. I have worked in two Psychiatric hospitals and a maximum security juvenile corrections center for a combined 15 years, and never was a taser used to subdue any out-of-control patient or adolescent and there were many,and they came in all shapes and sizes. If those 4 or 5 burly officers could not subdue that delusional man without a taser, God help any future innocent citizen/victim.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:32 AM

Who was the woman who extended the hand of kindness to this man in his time of duress? She is the only hero in this sad story. Let's find her and honour her. To her I say:

Thank you for showing the compassionate side of our country.
Thank you for making an effort.
Thank you for taking the time.
Thank you for overcoming your own trepidation in this unusual situation and extending empathy to a fellow traveler.
Thank you for exemplifying what Canadians aspire to be, but unfortunately often can't muster the courage to be.

Yours was the only act of humanity in this sad affair. You are a decent and honourable human being.

Thank you.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:29 AM

I am a Polish-Canadian traveling in Asia always describing Canada as a great country to live in. That is until now. This incident is so shocking and deeply disturbing, I believe it has changed the image of Canada from a peaceful and respectful country to one where such inhumae brutality is tolerated by the ones that are supposed to protect us. As a tourist I have often been in a situation where it is hard for me to communicate, or I don't speak the language at all, and I have never seen this type of treatment. Even when frustrated from long journeys, I have found help and not a tazer to welcome me. This story has now became known around the world and has shocked peple equally everywhere. I am definatelly of the opinion that the police officers who "executed" Mr. Dziekanski should be responsible for their actions and there should be an extensive review of the use of police force and the way new immigrants are welcomed in Canada.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:25 AM

After watching the video I have new questions: Why did Mr.Pritchard just sit there filming this man who was in so much obvious distress? If I had been there I would have asked someone to get an interpreter or something. I would never have just sat there and done nothing when it was obvious he needed help urgently. Mr. Pritchard and other bystanders who morbidly watched this very sad situation unfold are just as guilty as the police and the Vancouver Airport Authority for not helping this poor man. What I find particularly distressing is that the murder victim seems to be relieved when he finally sees the police calling out Politzia Politzia only to have them kill him. I have cried for two days now and the desperation on that man's face will stay with me forever. Shame on the police officers and the bystanders. My heart goes out to his mother.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:23 AM

The man was violent and would not be subdued. When the police approached him they walked toward him in a non-threatening manner. You can hear the man with the camera say "I can't believe that he is still fighting them off" after several minutes. The police had no interpreter and could not calm him down. What do people expect policemen to do? Instead of blaming the police for their response, realize that the person to blame would be the man that is throwing computers and screaming and threatening violence in an airport - hold him accountable and not those that are paid to serve and protect the rest of us from people like him.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:21 AM

There was no need at all to tazer this man. The police use this potentially deadly weapon far too much in the name of safety. Maybe the police should get tazered once a year to remind them of its harm. I am aware that they go through training which involves being tazered themselves, but maybe they should be reminded every year. This gun can kill innocent people before they are even brought to court. Anybody can see that this weapon is used far too often. Mike Mineau

Posted November 16, 2007 09:20 AM

In my country el salvador, this kind of violence is seen everyday with cops vs gangs, criminals, etc. It's not the violence on the tape that bothers me, but the person it was commited against. This man was in his 40's, unarmed, had been inside the airport in a secured area for more than 7 hours or so and did not speak english. I don't see a crime in that, the only crime one can argue was that he was frustated, and fed up that no one had offered to help him. It's ridiculous to think that these sort of things happen in countries such as this one. Where the canadian motto is "everyone is treated equally". It almost unbelievable to think that 4 RCMP armend men, that could not calm a lost 40 year old frustated man who could not speak english, handle a situation the way the did. Their only solution was to taser him acouple of times and then watch him die.

Action should be taken towards this matter and justice to those 4 RCMP officers. The family of Robert Dziekanski deserves an appology aswell as a public enquiry. My deepest condolonces to his mother and family.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:19 AM

Very disturbing to see people who are there to uphold the law treat an individual this way. It seems to me that it's one more example of how our great country is continuing to slide down that slippery slope of identity crisis with our neighbours to the south. I also wonder how much the government of our fearles leader George W. Harper is doing to encourage this kind of behaviour.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:17 AM

Looks like murder. Or at least man slaughter. If this involved a beautiful woman the officers would be getting her phone number. How can we as Canadians continue to have the RCMP represent us at events and on items? They have been doing this sort of thing for many years and now it would seem they have been caught. They lie and cover up. I lost all trust in them. Theses officers and officials in the cover up should be made examples of harshly. Then maybe I can lift my head as a Canadian again.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:16 AM

The rawness of the video really brought it home to me. Here was a distraught stranger on our land who obviously needed help. Instead of subduing him with force - (if it was even needed, which doesn't seem the case for a guy who looks ready to cooperate, standing where the police point him to) - he's violently electrocuted. If he had a gun or a knife then by all means taser him. If not tackle him. If not pepper spray him. There is no reason to electrocute someone who is not armed with a dangerous weapon. The widespread use of tasers show that police either:
1. ENJOY using it (perhaps a superiority complex;sense of control;entertaining to watch people squirm beneath their feet); or
2. Are LAZY (couldn't even be bothered pepper spraying since that would also include a subsequent tackle, let alone a pepper spray-less tackle).
It should be law that tasers are only used when someone (police, potential victim) is legitimately threatened with a weapon. A taser is nothing more than a diet gun, and police should not be electrocuting people out of enjoyment or lazyness. Whenever a taser is used a burdensome report should be written up, at the very least, just as in the case with a taser's older brother, the gun.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:14 AM

I am absolutely appalled at the lack of professionalism shown by this new video. As a former First Responder and volunteer firefighter,I can not believe the RCMP rightly assessed the situation before them. The first priority is to assess the risk to the officers.. is it really a risk when a man is armed with a chair and a stapler? 7 seconds into the arrival of the RCMP officers this unfortunate man was tasered and tossed to the ground.They worked on information supplied by the inept airport security officers. I can not believe that 4 large officers with apparent top quality training could not reduce the stress of the situation or, at the very least, helped this man to communicate his frustration and come up with a safer less death inducing solution to this situation. I am embarrassed and appalled by this action and hope there is a national inquiry to determine if the RCMP are trained well enough to use the taser as a last ditch deterrent. Perhaps a moratorium on taser use by all officers in Canada would be a good idea until the RCMP can prove they have acceptable training in their use.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:13 AM

This is another occasion where the police have tried to cover up their actions and have lied to the public. The police officers involved should have been suspended immediately from their jobs, without pay (and should be now), and should face charges of manslaughter. If any ordinary person had done what these officers did, he/she would have been charged a.s.a.p. The officials who lied and tried to cover this up should be fired. How can they be trusted to properly do their jobs after this. The police should not be above the law; in fact, they should be held more accountable because of their position of trust(?) in the public eye.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:12 AM

I think the root cause is deviating from the truth. We are being led to discuss and debate the use of the taser gun and not the origins of the problem. We cannot blame the horse for taking the wrong road but the rider; and we should be addressing the brutal, inhumane actions of police forces and other security bodies here in Canada. I came from a country in war, and let me tell you, police officers there dont kill someone in 15 seconds. Of course that the taser gun is one of those modern inventions that are developed to subdue people in an alienated world where understanding of the other is no longer valid; and as a bestial tool should be banned.
It is no way acceptable to let them investigate themselves. The proof: according to CBC, these 4 thugs are in active duty! It is preoccupying the trend that it is taking towards non-white people: Mr. Arar, the Chilean soccer team in Toronto, now this...They wont be accountable, and in the end the result will be that this man "died" (because there is a vast difference between "died" and "was killed") from "excited delirium", a condition invented by regimes to justify police brutality.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:08 AM

SC in Vancouver,

Newsflash: not everyone in the world lives in a big city with easy access to 'travel guide books'. The Polish man who died was not an idiot. He was just part of the majority of the world that does not have access to many resources the vast majority of us take for granted. He was an unsophisticated traveller by virtue of his economics--- and he had never been on a plane before.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:07 AM

Being a Polish immigrant I still remember the feelings of anticipation and awe but also anxiety when my family arrived at the Toronto airport 20 years ago. I can understand how these feelings can lead to confusion and frustration in a person stuck at a foreign airport for many hours after a long trip, possibly without food or water, with no family, help or interpretor available.
What is truly shocking is how four professional RCMP officers, who should have known about the 20 Taser-related deaths in Canada, still chose to use this potentially deadly weapon against a clearly distraught man, who was about to surrender in a secure airport area, where the chances of him carrying a weapon were obviously close to zero.
Who were these officers serving and protecting?

Posted November 16, 2007 09:02 AM

Can someone explain to me how they have the info that no one spoke to this man, that he waited by himself in the Customs area till the early morning (where he would surely have stood out)and then turned hostile upon exiting.

How many aged travellers from other countries who speak no English travel through the airport without incident. Had Robert never seen a telephone before so that he could not make a call to anybody?? If he had some sort of mental problems before travelling why would his mother not ask the airlines to do a passenger escort to make sure he travels through the system correctly?? That way she could get info from the airline on whether he is there or not, as they are restricted to give out travel information to anybody...that's the legal requirement we the general public wanted!!

What if someone did speak to him in Polish but he refused their help? What if someone at the airport looked for him but couldn't find him becuase he was hiding somewhere else. I am perplexed why I don't know the details of these questions to make the kind of judgement calls a lot of people are making.

Please share your sources with us!

Posted November 16, 2007 09:02 AM

Re: Big E
You are shocked at RCMP bashing!! Oh yah and what, blame it on the Hollywood’s violent movies. What a joke.
A person was killed by RCMP officials, who, lets not forget TRIED to COVER THIS UP. This is WRONG. We need to make sure this sort of incident does not happen again.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:02 AM

It is a really tragic event.Many people call for the moratorium on the use of Taser but this is not the point.Stun guns can kill and also save lives.It lies in the hands of RCMP officers.It mainly concerns about the mentality and guidelines of handling emergencies.
7 yearas ago I landed Vancouver as an immigrant after 13 hours flight and then waited another 6 hours at the immigration hall where only one officer was handling with the long queue and no food or beverage available there.With my wife complaining and my small daughter crying due to hunger and thirt,I became frustrated too.
Obviously Robert Dziekanski became agitated due to the same reason.All he need was only comfort and communication.This tragedy
reflects the bureaucracy,noneefficiency and arrogance which are the 3 main factors killing him.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:01 AM

The brutal of police forces have had happening every sences, everytimes. They laid charges on people no matter what people's explanations, and now, on the other hand defending,coverup their worngdoing -- KILL A MAN IN PUBLIC, coward!

This made me angry and remind me of how police treat people.. like Animal! they shot at you, grab you like you're not a human beings. no consideration and no compassion to help people out and now KILL a man who just arrived Canada...O..Canada...

If they can charge people without listen them as they BELIEVE so.. Then why this time they don't charge their own people and then explain in the court? This is the way they have done to people.

Posted November 16, 2007 09:01 AM

Ever hear about talking to people? Trying to calm them down? Simply try an enlightened approach?
If a civilian acted in such a reprehensible manner the police would spare no mercy on him/her, not a little bit. The crown would send them up for the stiffest penalty they could possibly charge them with; but when they (the RCMP) go in, many of them to one of him (the victim), and he has his arms down by his sides and they electrocute him TWICE even though he was down and screaming with the first shot, they have a thousand sob-story excuses for their murderous actions.
I feel sick to the stomach to see what a nation we've become.
Trudeau must be rolling in his grave.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:56 AM

With all the attention on the RCMP, why is there no mention of the Canada Border Services Agency being liable to this tragedy?

First of all, why is Robert Dziekanski allowed to clear Customs if he doesn't understand English? He wouldn't been able to complete his customs declaration card nor respond to the questions posed by the Border Services Officer in order to allow him entry into Canada. Why didn't the officer ask for a translator? It's highly likely that a person holding a Polish passport would speak Polish, right? No translators available? Then why not ask if there are CBSA officers that speaks Polish to assist?

Posted November 16, 2007 08:56 AM

I am thoroughly disgusted. These are sad times for the policing of this great country.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:55 AM

I'm not sure why everyone is so upset now? The fantasy is over as the undeniable truth now plays in front of them. What people want to believe is that this is an isolated incident and only reflected a bit of poor judgement on behalf of the officers involved. Corruption, Coverups, and the abuse of power are systemic and have been going on for years.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:55 AM

How appalling!

Since when do our supposedly highly trained officers use a Taser as the first resort? The worst aspect of this incident is the lack of any assessment, any attempt to understand (interpreter), this person. He was not aggressing the 4 officers. He was listening to their commands. The Taser is supposed to be in the hands of highly trained officers capable of diffusing a situation. It is a last resort in the face of someone violent. It is meant to prevent the death of the offender and the officers. Instead, these incompetent individuals lazily used it to put down a man the way one would put down cattle about to be slaughtered. Shame on us Canada.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:54 AM

I listened on CBC radio Thursday to the RCMP spokesman who said Mr. Dziekanski spoke in another language and the officers couldn't understand him. Someone in the video shouts that he is speaking Russian and of course that wasn't accurate. Didn't the customs officials look at the passport for cripe's sake?? It must have said Poland on it somewhere?? Why did the poor man have to suffer so terribly for almost 10 hours without an interpreter to assist officials? Why wasn't an announcement made for a relative waiting for him to come forward to help? Why did anyone have to wait so long and then get attacked after getting completely frustrated? I would be frightened, frantic and angry if it were me in a foreign country. Shame on our RCMP but a bigger shame on our Customs and Immigration for not helping him right at the outset. This could have all been avoided. Canada is revealed around the world as a huge embarrassment.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:53 AM

I think much of the blame rests with YVR. About 2 weeks after the incident I had planned to meet my daughter's flight from Denver. The directions to the international arrivals area were totally unclear. The people staffing the information booths appeared completely disinterested. As it turned out her flight was early and due to the lack of proper directions I missed her arrival. The arrivals area was totally chaotic with many flights landing at the same time. There was no one who could tell me whether the flight had completely cleared customs. After waiting in frustration for an hour and a half I left. I was exhausted and angry. I can just imagine how a non English speaking person would feel after 10 hours of this. YVR needs well trained information officers, much better signage, an interpreters booth with all languages available available 24 hours a day and security personnel who are vigiliant enough to spot a person in distress before they completely lose it.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:52 AM

Just sent this to the RCMP... not much good it will do... but ...

Hello,

I really wonder whether it is worth the time to write this note. Perhaps it will be brushed aside and not considered.

But wow... the actions of the RCMP officers is incredible. Such shame that we can do no better and the RCMP can do no better then to shock a man rather then to talk.

At least this time there is a video to prove the opposite of the reports that the RCMP gave.

The whole incident is such a shame for Canada. I just hope that the RCMP has the guts to stand up and say that we were wrong.

The problem is that there is a lot to suggest that this is just another incident. Not a one off. This time someone died. This time someone video taped it.

But this is not about tasers. This is not about one man. This is about abuse of power. Poor training. An no respect.

I am absolutely appalled.

Andrew

Posted November 16, 2007 08:52 AM

One would think that an international airport would have communication tools available to assist excited or distressed visitors and that the RCMP would be prepared for language barriers when responding to such a venue. If this incident was the result of following procedure, then we’ve created a system that is unacceptable and it needs change. The man was contained within the secure area and was not running away. They had plenty of time to find someone to communicate with him without resorting to surrounding him and escalating the tension and violence in the situation.

A failure to communicate should never be a death sentence. Shame on us all for letting this happen.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:49 AM

It appears we have a bunch of cowboys who should be disciplined appropriately, if such a thing is possible. I'm put off by the media focus on tasers. This incident has little to do with tasers and much to do with the officers and organization as a whole.

I have always held the RCMP in very high esteem.

Unfortunately, after seeing this video I must now hold their training and accountability for their officers in question and after witnessing their "official" lies about the incident I must now hold the entire organization's integrity in question.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:48 AM

The public should call for an immediate dismissal of those 4 “police officers” or criminals would be more appropriate! Their conduct is totally inappropriate! After all who pays their wages? I can’t believe they are still in service and getting paid for it!
How do we stand up and make that happen?

Posted November 16, 2007 08:48 AM

There are indeed many good police officers who deserve our respect and thanks.

However, as digital cameras become more ubiquitous, an increasing number of videos like this are being made public. I am starting to believe that situations like that with Mr. Dziekanski are far more common and the proportion of bad police officers (or at least officers who are prone to abuse their power) is far greater than any of us would like to think. This is severely shaking my confidence in our police forces, and making me question the security of basic human rights in this country.

I'm left wondering whether the training that police in this country receive focuses too much on exercising power and too little on how to wield that power responsibly. I also wonder whether adequate psychological screening of police candidates is being done to weed out those who may be prone to abuse their power.

I'm also concerned that the focus being given to tasers is taking attention away from the more serious issue of police abusing their power. If that is indeed a real problem, I'm certain it far predates the introduction of tasers and occurs in situations in which tasers are not involved.

Regardless of whether there is justification for the officers' conduct in this case (as unlikely as that seems to me) or whether there actually is a problem of officers abusing their power, our politicians need to realize that many of us have lost confidence in our police forces. That, at the very least, is a real problem that they need to address. And claims that studies have shown tasers to be safe or assurances that the matter will be investigated by the RCMP will not accomplish that.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:47 AM

English is my second language. I know exactly how it feels to be somewhere where people do not understand you. I have also been to at least a couple dozen countries. Anywhere you go in the world chances are someone somewhere near you speaks at least some english and generally people are more than willing to help. I feel confident travelling because of that. Speaking only a relatively uncommon language is scary. Our Airport emoloyees need better training and a whole lot of compassion towards someone needing help.
I am extremely disappointed in the actions of our RCMP officers. I think too much of the time they may feel like their job is pointless (with our justice system letting criminals off with no consequences) but in this case they were clearly very wrong and they should have at least tried to comunicate with him first. Like everyone else has said this man needed help and compassion not death. If Tasers are supposed to be non lethal I am wondering if the police experience being tasered during their training.

In my opinion the airport staff are just as responsible for death of this poor man as the police. I hope they take a really good look at themselves for letting the situation get to where it did. Don't pass your part of the responsibility on to someone else.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:47 AM

I think its apalling that the police used such excessive force. I honestly think that a lot of these people in positions like this abuse their power. The man was not threatening to harm any of them and was backing away. They should all be charged with murder. Its very disturbing to think that this could happen to any one of us.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:43 AM

What an discusting use of force. The RCMP has done a huge disservice to Canada. I hope that there will be a deep probing into the RCMP's conduct and the responsible offices are brought to trial. They killed a man who had clearly surrendered to them. They committed this horrific act and they are still publicly denying it. Shame on Canada's "NOT so fine". Hats off to Paul Prichard for his video and his persistence in having it returned.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:42 AM

A double double and a donut from a nearby Timmy would resolve a similar situation with a happy ending. The cost would be a lot less than using Taser guns and the follow up investigations. Using the brain is a preferred choice than using a weapon. Before our Prime Minister comments on other countries' human right record, please look at our own first. Electric shock is torture. Our government must aplologize to Mr. Dziekanski's family and compensate for the loss of life. When travelling abroad, I would cover my maple leaf. For those four officers involved, promotion should be on the way.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:41 AM

Although I believe the public has a right to know about what really happened, I'm truly appalled that news organizations such as the CBC are continuously showing this video over and over again on the news, let alone posting it on the website for all to watch at their leisure. I would be devastated if this was my brother or father whose death was being exploited like this. It's morally reprehensible. Can you imagine his poor mother turning on the tv to see her son's last minutes on earth. Surely there's a better way to ensure transparency while at the same time giving this man a little dignity. If this was a Canadian, would we think it was ok for the world to watch? If this was a terrible car accident, would the CBC post a video for all to see of a victim's last moments alive? I think not. Do the respectable thing and remove this video from your website.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:37 AM

Tasers don't kill healthy people. Okay, but not everyone is healthy.
Are Police now super doctors able to diagnose health in 20 seconds?
Most people who have died after a Taser incident had one, or more, health problems. The problem with this issue is that the Policy on the use of Tasers is flawed. Tasers should only be used in situations that otherwise would call for the use of deadly force, guns, not simply to avoid contact with someone.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:36 AM

"The other aspect is the mentality, in Europe police reacts a bit different, always tries to keep calm and negotiate first."

Especially coming from a poster from Berlin, this statement is, of course, complete and utter nonsense. There are countless cases of mindless and apparently pointless police brutality in Germany and by that city's police force specifically. Europe is no better a place and German metropolitan areas probably some of the worst places to get into direct contact, let alone conflict with the police than any other (in the "Western World"). I've lived in Berlin for ten years and have certainly witnessed my share of incidents to make and assert such a statment with no hesitation whatsoever.

One of the reasons why this case is so controversial - and rightfully so - is precisely that Canadian police up to this point had somewhat of a reputation for being *different* from what basically everyone knows or has heard and read about police actions in Europe and the USA. In contrast to similar incidents which I personally witnessed or read about in the press, I myself have so far only ever been confronted with polite and downright helpful RCMP in Canada, even in the metropolitan areas. However, having lived in Vancouver now for a while and now having seen this video, I do get the distinct feeling that this climate is currently changing dramatically. I don't know whether this is a result of the paradigm changes that resulted from the recent Conservative coup or whether it is just a general global 'Zeitgeist', finally catching up with Canada. In any case, and to answer the initial question, I feel less safe living in Vancouver now, after having seen this video than I did before. And I am seriously concerned about the trend this seems to underline.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:33 AM

I think those trigger happy goons should be charged with murder, period! It's amazing how they get away with it (murder) all the time. Wake up Canada, we're living in a police state.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:33 AM

This whole event was a tragedy where both parties, Robert Dziekanski and the RCMP, made mistakes.

The RCMP made poor judgement calls when shooting Robert with a taser 2x but based on the information they had, having been told previously that they were going to be dealing with a violent - Robert had been throwing things, barricading doors, shouting etc. - can we really blame them for going in with preconceived notions? Nonetheless, there were four of them against one man... couldn't they have wrestled him down?

Robert was obviously not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Who the hell in this day and age starts throwing temper tantrums at airports? And who travels to a new country where you do not speak the language without learning at least a few rudimentary words, or at least have a travel guide/book that will help to translate something. Robert's IDIOCY makes it hard to feel like he was a helpless victim. He was just stupid. (That said, stupidity isn't a reason for death.)

Clearly the RCMP need to have better training on the use of tasers... but I don't think we should go with the knee-jerk reaction of banning them completely. Had the RCMP not had the taser, chances are they would have used the gun, and surely the outcome would have been the same.

The only thing that I can conclusively determine from this whole affair is that Mr Paul Pritchard is a disgusting liar. His whole 'I just want the video back to show it to the public.' only to turn it around and SELL it to the media turns my stomach. To profit from the tragic death is wrong. I hope karma bites you in the ass.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:30 AM

where is Canada's Border Service on rhis? How can a person be confined and desserted at a busy international airport? It isn't like Polish is am obsure language. The RCMP. Their actions during anf after ( combined with other recent headlines) really bring into question; their core competency, and their trustworthines.Did these 3 or 4 ??( even they can't get their facts straight)people/constables act as a police force or just uniformed bullies?

Posted November 16, 2007 08:30 AM

PART 3
IN all, there was no communication on the airport, there is no security after what we have seen, there is no mediator, translator nor anybody to help person in distress, there is no even medical help which was needed so badly. Please there is so many of us who no matter hour nor day would gladly put their names on the list of TRANSLATORS, or even VOUNTEERS who will make sure they speak the language the person speaks. I am willing to go on that list and be there on the airport for any POLISH person who comes here, when they need me. I do not want to see any person go through what ROBERT went through. And I think in all nations we have here in CANADA we will find many volunteers who will do that for their nations, no matter what language we speak. About TASERS they should be banned because they are not safe at all, and it was proven, how many more lives we have to loose to stop it? I heard there is 15 or more lost by now in Canada only.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:29 AM

PART 2
9. Why there was neither TRANSLATOR nor even a person speaking Russian, would they know what language he speaks?
10. Why none checked his PASSPORT to make sure what nationality he is in the first place to help him (translator or any person speaking polish would help, I would)
11. why 4 police officers thought they can't manage one men who was in distress (what kind of police we have here) WAS the situation EXTREME that they needed to use TASER ?NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Why they Taser him again when he was lying in convulsions?
12. If a person turns their back and put hands up, that does mean in any international language I GAVE UP?
13. Why anyone did not help MOTHER who actually told them he is on the airport and insisted on that?
14. Why security one or even 4 of them did not take his mom to the secure area to check, she would of find him in few minutes there? Did they think she was dangerous too?
15. And finally the last question why those 4 OFFICERS did not help ROBERT when they knew that he started having medical problems, all of them did NOTHING
16. to the officer who sat on his head with his knees around his neck? What were you thinking knowing procedures on HOW NOT BEHAVE AFTER TASING the MEN

Posted November 16, 2007 08:29 AM

PART1 You can see how distracted he is, he wants to break the window to get the attention. He basically wanted someone to come and help him! And when he saw RCMP arriving, he started to call them in Polish: Police! Police- he was happy to see them at first as he thought that finally someone's going to help him.As the report indicates, we need to see all the evidence first, but I think whatever happens before is before... WHAT POLICE did IS SHOWN ON THE MOVIE clearly...
1. Where was any airport authority to help ROBERT?
2. WHERE WAS any kind of security on the airport? (He was there for so many hours)
3. Where was any human being interested why ROBERT was so long in that area? (Except those who were outside the confined area and tried to communicate with him)
4. Why no one even accounted if all passengers went through the check points, he passed PASSPORT POINT (security?)
5. What kind of security we have with one person who can stay there for so long without NOONE noticing it.
6. Is this security representing the city which will host 2010 Olympics?
7. Emigration office and AIRPORT authorities, did not even bother to look when they were asked by the mother, that someone is missing on the airport? Why they did not?
8. Why no one checked the list of the people on specific flight and noticed that that person might be threat to others (good that ROBERT was not)

Posted November 16, 2007 08:27 AM

Dave from Winnipeg:

You need to watch that video again. The officer beating his baton on the ground could have in fact struck Dziekanski because it was so close to his head it’s hard to make out in the video. Also, he did not have any weapon. The following comments are taken from a Canada.com story: Michael Lyman, a criminal justice professor at Columbia College in Missouri said that after viewing the video that there was no evidence in the video that Dziekanski possessed a dangerous weapon. "He doesn't appear to be threatening anybody. But he does appear to be unco-operative and unreasonable." He was also concerned regarding the officer beating his baton on the floor near Dziekanski. Lyman says, "Whether it hit him, I don't know. But I am concerned that he may have been struck with no justification." Lyman also states that the police should have been able to restrain the Polish visitor using their hands. "I don't even think batons or mace would have been necessary given that there were four officers on the scene." He further states that the police “appeared to take the path of least resistance by deploying the Taser . . . when they could have controlled this gentleman through physical force techniques that would not have been harmful." Lyman is an expert on police procedure who has provided testimony in hundreds of criminal and civil court cases.

This incident is a tragedy in the gravest sense. The RCMP, and the Vancouver Airport should be fully answerable to their inappropriate actions.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:26 AM

I just had to write to someone once I saw this video. I actually worked for the RCMP and find that what they did was WRONG. Yes he was agitated, but maybe a little nervous. Had he ever seen automatic doors before? It was his first airplane ride and he was maybe not sure how to fill out all the forms. First, you find a translator. Second you address the situation. Endlessly yelling 'get down, get down' doesn't even register for this victim. The video properly displays the WRONG course of action and the mentally that we, as Canadians, are now thinking of terrosrists and are so overly PARANOID like our southern neighbours. I'm appalled.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:26 AM

A couple of points:

Reflects poorly on Vancouver airport to have someone languishing that long with no interrepetors !

Posted November 16, 2007 08:24 AM

Welcome to Canada,
OPTION 1 Ready to use and abuse our system? Welcome and don't forget your welfare cheque and child tax and bonus system with tax refund at years end.
OPTION 2 Ready to be a contributor to our society like most of our ancestors and the building founders of our country from Europe we now offer free heart tests at waiting area, customer service that barely understand english or french and obviously not Polish!
Our previous governments have changed the outlook of our country to a place that will soon be unrecognizable.
I feel for this Mans mother and the officers as well. They obviously missed a couple of steps in their R.O.E. It happens, and is unfortunate to say the least. We should use these measures on the leaches of our society not on a soon to be productive memeber.
Shame and sorrow

Posted November 16, 2007 08:20 AM

Tasers a lethal weapons. Tasers are gross violations of human dignity and rights. They must be outlawed by international law and convention. There are huge corporate financial interests that do not want this to happen so you can expect significant opposition but, make no mistake, these tasers are as evil a technology as lobotomy by electrocution. Hopefully this technology, being marketed as benign and as an easy answer to polic work will be seen for the true evil it is.

How many people are going to have to die before we as civilized human beings stop the madness? Basic human rights are being violated with the use of this weapon and evil use of force against people, many of whom have not even been charged with a crime. This is a senseless use of deadly force. And the idea of the tool being a "taser" gives licence to use it indiscriminately.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:18 AM

Shane Hendrickson, I dont disagree with your thought regarding showing the video to the public on primetime TV. My 10-year old somehow caught the end-part of the video on CBC News just before his bed-time, I simply couldnt prevent it, and felt sickened that he had to see it. %&^*

But ask yourself this, as I asked myself - if only "those who are responsible" were privy to the video, would those 4 officers be truly held to account? Looks to me like manslaughter - unintentional, but very, very cold-blooded and contrary to policy/training. Now that the whole world has seen this video - and remember, people drive change in a democracy - maybe something good will come out of it. Perhaps rules/laws will change - who knows.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:16 AM

In watching this video I wonder what must have transpired between Mr. Dziekanski and immigration officers to upset him to this degree. As a frequent traveller myself, it isn't difficult to imagine. The arrogance and uncivil, if not accusatory, nature of customs officials is enough to anger anyone. This incident is further evidence of a problem that is glaringly apparent to the people of Canada. The recruitment policies of Canada Customs and the RCMP do not attract the best and the brightest that Canada has to offer. Rather, we must be satisfied with the mediocre and the average, as the CBC video clearly demonstrates. While the officers in this video should ask themselves if this is how they would have their loved ones treated in Canada let us not forget that Canada Customs certainly plays a part in this tregedy as well. If you are employed as RCMP or a customs official please know that the people of Canada are keenly aware of the uneducated and ignorant skillset that you bring to your positions. I am afraid for the safety and liberties of my wife and daughter where Canadian officials are concerned and my disdain for their members will be deeply felt the next time my family and I have cause to pass through Canada Customs. Perhaps it would serve Canada well to issue officers invitations for some free education, or books rather than tasers. Shame.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:15 AM

1. the guy never threatened the police. 4 against 1, and he is willing to surrender. What is the logic behind the police decision to taser him? this is ridiculous.
2. the resistence to release tape only makes the case worser for the police, as this means that the police need to hide for their crime.
3. this brings out that countries like canada doesnt have the morale high ground to condemn the countries like Myanmar or North Korea.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:15 AM

As a 20 year police veteran I have to admit that the Officers acted too swiftly. The training we receive is to take our time and not concern ourselves with property damage. The optimum result is to get the subject to voluntarily comply and time is on the side of the Officers and should be used liberally when there is no danger. Sign language could have been used to communicate with the individual to give himself up. Shooting more than once is unexplainable when the first shot is obviously effective. It appears that training is lacking in the use of the taser in the RCMP. In our department it is used only by elite officers and supervisors who can get the required focused training and are generally more mature than the average Officer. A tragic event which will hopefully lead to reforms and prevent future such events.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:14 AM

Here's the video evidence of the brave new world we live in here in Canada. Shoot first ask questions later, does that sound familiar? I've never been ashamed of being a Canadian. I am now. My sympathies and apologies to the Dziekanski family.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:09 AM

3 WORDS...WRESTLED HIM DOWN cz he has no gun no weapons at all. it really amuses me to how coward the RCMP officers are.shame shame

Posted November 16, 2007 08:09 AM

When I watched the video on CBC news the first time, I held my tears. When I watched the raw video tape on CBC website, I can't help but cried. It was very disturbing. I have just watched a murder, a murder committed by RCMP.

And I wonder, how many times did RCMP give out inaccurate information in other cases? They have lost their credibility, and their accountability.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:07 AM

It's very unfortunate that this man died, but I highly doubt the officers went in there to kill. They did what they had to do - subdue a man who was creating a scene. I dare any one of you anti-RCMP commenters to go to a foreign international airport where no english is spoken and act the same way, picking up a table and throwing a computer, all the while yelling in a language no one there understands. I am fairly certain you will be tazered - or worse - right promptly.
I'm more shocked at the RCMP bashing than the video itself!(blame it on Holywood's violent movie culture desensitizing, I guess)

Posted November 16, 2007 08:06 AM

Disgusted by the actions and the irresponsibility of both RCMP and Immigration who border on incomptence at the best of times. Polish passport - find somebody who speaks Polish. Use judgment, be creative - page the airport for somebody who speaks Polish; they might have found his mother. How could 4 big men not constrain one individual physically; what kind of training did they receive in Regina? They took the line of least resistance and that seems to be the new attitude in police work. The RCMP ask that people not just view the video as the only piece of evidence - a picture is worth more that the spin. The 4 officers should be immediately suspended, an open investigation by the Vancouver police department and hopefully a charge of manslaughter laid against them. Pity it could not be 2nd degree murder; it might wake the force up to reviewing their methods.

Posted November 16, 2007 08:06 AM

This was a vulgar display of power by individuals who have lost all sense of human compassion. Should these individuals be protecting us? From what may I ask? Fortunately the video cannot lie. It cannot be spun by some RCMP spokesperson. It shows us how little a human life is worth and how quickly it can be extinguished. Are we really the country most of us think we are?

Posted November 16, 2007 08:03 AM

Wanted Dead or Alive!

A suspected terrorist has infiltrated a secured zone of the Vancouver airport. He is unarmed but poses a serious threat to the public. He must be apprehended using whatever force is necessary!

Is this the information the RCMP officers received before engaging combat with the Polish man? I can’t help but think that a civilian would have been far more effective in helping this man out. What this man needed was compassion and to be understood.

Observing the video, the Polish immigrant was agitated; he was not behaving normally; and definitely needed to be helped. It is beyond belief that the four RCMP officers in a short period of time determined a course of action that led to a deadly outcome.

Yes, death was not intended but why use the taser in the first place? I do understand that due process needs to be followed to investigate this unfortunate event. I also appreciate the fact that not being there in the first person and now having the benefit of hind sight can obscure the facts. But please, let something good come out of this – do not let Robert Dziekanski’s untimely death be in vain.

Some closing thoughts: When in doubt, treat someone the way you would want to be treated. To eliminate an enemy, make him your friend!

Posted November 16, 2007 08:00 AM

I am absolutely appalled that this could happen. Firstly, how does an airport staff let a confused man loiter 10 hours in one room at an airport without offering assitance? Secondly, how did 4 trained police officers see it as necessary to subdue a non-violent person 25 seconds after coming in contact with him using a taser? Thirdly, why did none of these officers try to perform any sort of resuscitation on the man after he had lost consciousness, instead letting him die infront of their very eyes? To me, this is the equivalent of the Rodney King case in Canada, and those officers should not only lose their positions of power, but also should be prosecuted for their actions. The airport should also look into preventing this kind of tragedy in the future, by training employees to handle this kind of situation properly, and at the very least, on showing basic empathy for your fellow man.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:59 AM

The moment when the police surrounded him, he said: are you surrounding me, are you crazy? I don't think he was planning to attack the policemen, in contrary he was sure of their help. The other aspect is the mentality, in Europe police reacts a bit different, always tries to keep calm and negotiate first. He simply did not know how to proceed to avoid this reaction. From the moment the police arrived, myself i have no idea how to behave in order to avoid such action. Hands up was not enough, lie down maybe? I saw many time people hysteric, panic, sometime even agressive at the airports, but here in Europe they simply calm you down.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:51 AM

I am not a scientist nor an inventor of sophisticated tools, I am just a regular individual that believed Canada is one of the most respectful countries that strongly advocates for human rights abroad and here at home. To me this instrument called Taser looks as if is one kind of the many instruments used to perform horrible torture techniques violating in an immeasurable way the human rights as it has been done in China and other countries with horrendous reputation for violating the basic human rights. I am appalled to see how easy Canadian officers were willing to use this technique of electrocution on an unarmed individual excited to come to one of the best countries in the world – as it was the case in the Vancouver International Airport. This is horrendous!!!

Posted November 16, 2007 07:50 AM

Send these four officers through U.S. customs with a note from their employer that reads "we think these men may be linked to terrorist activity"

Posted November 16, 2007 07:48 AM

The airport management should be accountable for this incident. The information persons that the mother asked about her son could have called the security and the RCMP to look for her son, that was a missing person, instead they ignored her pleas for help and sent her home. Larry Berg on the CBC interview was more interested in passing the blame to some else. The area leased by border services is still airport property The passanger that paid to use the airport should have been provide better service. For the games at Vancouver in 2010 how many victims will there be?? It appears that the airport is using reactive instead pro active approach to airport security. The security and police would have a done more with a cup of coffee with better results. Where is our Canadian hospitality???

Posted November 16, 2007 07:47 AM

The RCMP officers acted like a pack of wild dogs cornering a weakened one. A national shame.

The man could have survived the first taser, but at least a second taser is fired very soon after and then they jump on him and hand cuff him?? Why??

Posted November 16, 2007 07:44 AM

We have just buried 2 RCMP officers with much ceremony and praise for our elite national police force. A force that is intimately and inextricably linked to both Canada's history and identity. Is it possible these four thugs in this video belong to the same organization??? If these men wear red serge, it is because it is red with the blood of Robert Djakowski.
Sadly , this is far from an isolated incident. For sometime now, I have viewed police as having Jekyll and Hyde personalities. Capable of selfless acts of courage and also capable of unleashing senseless and unprovoked violence of such visciousness and brutality not seen since thugs from the SS stalked the earth.
These men must be held accountable for this cold blooded murder of an innocent unarmed man, for the sake of all Canadians and our international reputation. We cannot once again witness the travesty of rcmp investigating (and exonerating) their own.
I am reminded of an expression I once heard back in the sixties.
WARNING!!! YOUR LOCAL POLICE ARE ARMED AND DANGEROUS

Posted November 16, 2007 07:40 AM

I used to work at Vancouver Airport and it was common knowledge among all of us that worked there, that the RCMP that worked there were ones that had problems of some kind in their past postings. Basically, they were posted to YVR as either a punishment or nobody else wanted them. This may or may not be true, but this was common knowledge just a few years ago. I am certain that the RCMP will deny it, but......

As to this incident, after viewing the video and trying to understand the situation, I feel that the officers handled it totally incorrectly. At no time did they actually try to understand the situation. Their first reaction should have been to get a translator there as quickly as possible. They are at an international airport and should expect that some of the people coming through there will not speak English or French. But no, they decide that since they cannot communicate with this poor guy, so they need to Taser him and take him down.

If I came across somebody that I could not communicate with and tasered them, what would happen? Probably the least would be assault with intent to harm.

And with our present Court system, if these police were to be charged and convicted, just what kind of sentence would they get? Probably a few hours community service and some sensitivity training. If anything at all.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:35 AM

My Polish brother were KILLED by CANADIANS. That's what i understend!Your PM did not appologized for his death to us Polish people. I can't wait enough to get hand on you in my country canadians!!

Posted November 16, 2007 07:33 AM

All I my family and many friends who have seen this video can say is unbelievable!!!The RCMP officers should be brought up on charges and this incident should create the need for a full public inquiry!!This is something you'd expect from a country like Pakistan[under its current state] not Canada for God's sake,wake up RCMP you are losing any credibilty you once had!!!

Posted November 16, 2007 07:27 AM

Disgusting. The actions of these four brutes are symbolic of what's going on in our world today - act first, in a harsh, violent way, and then stand back in the aftermath and go "oooops" like complete idiots.

The unbelievable ignorance and disrespect of these four cowards will forever be imprinted on that video for the world to see. Though I doubt they'll ever go to jail, at least it's some form of punishment.

I commend Paul Pritchard for videoing all of this, and not being intimidated even as the so-called authorities showed up.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:26 AM

First off, my apologies to the Dziekanski family for this unwarranted tragedy - truly a sad day for the RCMP and Canada.

The response from the various agencies involved is unbelievable given the circumstances seen on the video. Although I am sure there is more to the story than what “meets the eye” there can be little doubt that the actions taken here are excessive and that alternatives (to the Taser) were not given the priority they ought to have. Arm-chair quarterback here? You bet.

The root of the problem is RCMP training (or lack thereof) and, what appears to be, a willingness to solve a problem with the most convenient form at hand.

Shameful!

Posted November 16, 2007 07:08 AM

Different approach:

Walk up to Robert, with a cup of coffee and a sandwich. Give him these. Find a Polish / Enlgish translation book, which should reasonably be in every international airport (at least if I was selling books). Bring him the book.

Sit down, and talk to him using non-threatening tones and body language. If you have time, sit with the poor man until his mother picks him up! Take this newly arrived Canadian citizen out of the airport and show him our beautiful country and our hospitality at the same time.

Or you could just call the RCMP and let them kill him. After all I don't know him why would I care? Oh, because I could be him one day.

Posted November 16, 2007 07:06 AM

If he doesn't speak any language, how was he admitted into the country in the first place ?

Posted November 16, 2007 07:05 AM

I cannot express my outrage at this incident. My heart goes out to the family of this poor unfortunate man, coming to the land milk and honey only to be savagely beaten, Tazed and killed by the very people paid to protect him. I can say that this is an ongoing trend within the police forces across Canada. Since 2001, the police have found themselves in a new position of power, running around in there swat outfits, beating people down, and sometimes killing them, with little being done to reprimand them for there actions. But even before that, the police have taken any opportunity to abuse the powers we the citizens of this great country give to them.
Back in 1997, I was walking to friends house in Victoria B.C. (is there a trend here?) minding my own business, when 2 squad cars came racing up beside me, Jumped up on the curb and the officers jumped out of there cars. Without a word being said or a question asked, 3 officers proceeded to throw me on the ground and hand cuff me, whil;e a young rookie stood and watched. They were so aggressive, it was amazing. They kept on saying to each other, we got him, we got him. They were pulling my hair and repeatedly throwing me against the wall. I kept asking what I had done, and they threw me on the ground while one officer kept his foot on the back of my neck. Then one officer said "the perp has a full beard, not a goatee. With that, I was uncuffed and they all jumped back into there cars. I asked one of the officers if i could have there name. He told me to forget this happened, and they sped away. I read later the next day, that a woman was stabbed and that the perp was caught without incident. I guess I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was the only incident that night. I thank god they didn't have Tazers. Who knows if I would be writing this posting as I have a heart problem and would have surely suffered the same fate as that poor man in the Vancouver airport.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:59 AM

I am a Chinese immigrant who experienced similar
nightmare with the local police. Actually the police
applied unnecessary force to me without giving me a
chance to tell my side of the story. Even after they
found out that I was TOTALLY innocent they refused
to say a sorry to me. To make things worse they lied
about the facts in the incident report with the story
they made up. At first they took advantage of my
unawareness of local culture and law by saying their
action was based on the 911 tape that recorded my
sound, but when I requested to access a copy of the
tape, they claimed that tape was gone due to "
technical problem". In the whole process not only a
single officer lied, it was a system-level corruption.

I used to live in USA where Canadians I met told me
they are "different from cool-blooded Americans" as
Canadians are nicer and honest. I did move to Canada
with admiration for the values of Canadian society.
But at the moment I was greatly bullied by the native
Canadians, I was scared of this great country.

When I became a Canadian citizen, a politician said,
"welcome to the best place in the world, an open,
free and civilized country with fairness and
opportunities". In addition, Canadian government
often arrogantly criticizes other nations for "bad
human rights records", I wonder if they should have
a mirror to check themselves up first".

Nevertheless I still trust most Canadian people are
friendly and open-minded. I am happy to see so many
objective and fair comments on the Polish immigrant's
case here.

I just wonder why there are still many shameless
dishonest people who are trying hard to help hiding
the faults of their government.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:52 AM

Um...Terry..the officer didnt bash down on the guys head with a baton. If you knew even the most minimal of how any police equipment works then you would know that he was collapsing (closing) his baton which he had extended as precautionary. Batons need to be struck down on a hard surface to collapse (close) them...and this officer did not strike the man on the head which you really can quite clearly tell if you watch the video.

As far as tasering this man goes...he showed aggitation and he has a weapon (yes, even though you might think its only a stapler) in his hands (watch the video). This man is unknown to any officer and was showing very irrational behaviour as you can tell simply by watching this video...the taser is the proper choice in this situation, although I will admit that it seems it was fired prematurely.

To all you people who say these officers used "police brutality" grow up...if you taser a man you want to control the situation immediately. How many punches did you see thrown? How many of these officers soccer-kicked this man while on the ground? None! Control methods were used.

Its easy to hate police..especially when youre mad that you got that speeding ticket this morning and then develop a universal hatred for police as a result. But for 99% of you the scariest thing you face in the morning is the commute to the office, and you will never have even the slightest idea what its like know the dangers that police officers everywhere face everyday.

A man died and yes its tragic and horrible...but if you think for one second these officers are laughing about this or were high-fiving eachother for a job well done then you are mistaken. Everyone of these guys is a real person as well and feels terrible a man died from this incident.

Im just thankful some people out there are brave enough to do a job the rest of you cowards are too scared to even consider.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:50 AM

I am ashamed for the action of our national police (RCMP).
I am ashamed but not surprised. They do look neat in their red jackets but the reputation of this force is just down the drain.
If not for the brave man taping this event we would never know what really has happened at the Vancouver Airport under the sign “Welcome to Vancouver”.
We are in fact lucky that the tape has not disappeared before we could see it.
Now there is a time for the usual spin by officials from all organizations involved in this murder of innocent man by RCMC thugs.
Of course there will be inquiry, but when we finally get the sanitized official report most people will forget and no action will ever be taken against any official.
That is the way the system works here, spin it, deny it, drag it over time, spend millions on lawyers and the show goes on.
My sincere condolences go to the mother and family of this man.
My strongest condemnations go to the power hungry corrupted criminals at all levels of our police force.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:49 AM

The tragic death of Robert Dziekanski was due to YVR neglect and a thoughtless, barbaric and cowardly act by trigger happy police. Mr. Dziekanski was obviously and understandably physically and mentally stressed. He was possibly dehydrated, food deprived, in nicotine withdrawal, disorientated and sufffering extreme anxiety. He needed immediate medical attention, not tasering. Tasers should never be used on unarmed people. I would assume most people with medical conditions or who are middle aged and up would probably succumb to tasering. ALL involved should be fired at the very least and also criminally prosecuted.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:46 AM

Thank you Eric Rankin! The first journalist to actually review the tape in a serious fashion without a knee jerk reaction. Questions do need to be asked and answered- especially with respect to the lack of CPR. However, I am disqusted with those we are calling the police barbaric and murders and that are stating they are ashamed to be Canadian.

Give your head a shake. This was in a secure airport facility, the man was throwing things around, picked up something as a weapon when the police arrived- and it was their job to subdue him, not counsel him. Did they expect him to die from the taser? Obviously not.

The police are in a no win situation. I can just hear the outcries of police brutality from these same individuals if the 4 officers put their own safety at risk and physically subdued him using their batons and/or a choke hold as some have suggested.

Quite frankly, it would serve this country right if they all said "who needs this" and walked away the responsibilities they have accepted- then we will see how comfortable people are. I certainly didn't see any members of the public in this situation jumping up to take responsibility and help the man- everyone simply waited for the "authorities".

And for those that are ashamed to be Canadian as a result of this unfortunate incident- the door is always open for you to give up the rights and priviledges everyone expects in this country!

Posted November 16, 2007 06:40 AM

Seems like it was the trigger happy black gangsta-cop that shot him.

How is it possible that no time was taken by the officers to assess the situation? Clearly airline safety was not imminently imperiled by Dziekanski's actions. Their guns and tasers should not preclude their use of common sense. What a base and appalling reaction.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:40 AM

It doesn't look like intervention, it looks like cold-blooded murder. The police seems to have totally overreacted against a helpless man, who was sweating and sounded incomprehensible to them, but who after a very long travel must have been sleep-deprived and totally exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Human body may react in so many ways to physical exhaustion. Robert Dziekanski must have spent at least 15(?) hours on the plane between Poland and Vancouver, and then he spent several more hours between his arrival in Vancouver at 4 pm and his death past midnight. Did he have any water to drink in those long hours? Did he have a chance to eat so that his sugar level was ok? When was the last time he slept? The more I think about the situation the more I believe that the complete lack of professionalism and total indifference of the Vancouver's Aiport personnel and immigration officers contributed to Robert's tragic death. Why wasn't he offered a language interpretor? Why was his mother being pushed away from one information point to another and back again, with totally wrong information given to her at the end? Why was she not given prompt service by the Vancouver airport immigration in the first place? Why wouldn't the immigration checkpoint make any announcement over PA system and ask her to report to pick up her son while he was processed at the immigration point, as if this PA technology was not available in the 21st cent.? It seems that it was not only the police who brought the tragic end to a helpless, innocent man, but the cold-blooded, unprofessional and indifferent bureaucracy. All these people should be made responsible.
Thank you Paul Pritchard for standing up bravely to the police and recording these terrible last minutes that led to Robert Dziekanski's pointless death. Let's just hope that Canadians will use it to turn this tragedy into something positive.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:31 AM

I think almost everyone agrees that the officers actions were brutal and unwarranted. However, I would like to call attention to the extreme generalizations being posted on this forum and even the comparisons of the RCMP to corrupt police forces in other countries. This is a terrible incident and the officers should be held entirely responsible. But let's not paint the entire force black and assume that all 20,000 members of the RCMP are corrupt and use brutal tactics. This is one incident, think of all the thousands of incidents where the RCMP have obviously handled such situations using measured force, where the outcome has been positive.
Yes, there have been other incidents where people have been killed with Tasers, but maybe we should also be looking at the faults behind the technology and not those who are using it and believing that it is a safe method.
These four officers clearly did not follow protocol and should be held accountable. But let's not allow the reputation of thousands of men and women who risk their lives every day to be tarnished by the mistakes of some.
If you have a doctor that makes a mistake in surgery would you then assume that all doctors would make the same mistake? If a pilot crashes a plane, do you then decide that all pilots are just as incapable? Then why would you make that type of assumption regarding police officers?
Please stop the sensationalism and focus on these particular officers instead of denouncing an entire police force and the people who DO serve and protect one day at a time.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:31 AM

I am amazed at the totally irrational conclusions many have posted. Firstly it is very obvious that the baton near the end of the video is being collapsed and not used as a weapon. Notice the baton was never used even when it was at the ready. At this point not a single person to post knows what happened previous to the video being shot or what the police officers were told when dispatched. I make up no conclusion or story of my own. I will wait for the reports first. If protocols were not used, if the attending officers were told that they needed to go investigate some unknown event and they did not follow policy, then discipline and if warranted prosecution should follow. But if they had been told of some violence that preceded the video and followed policy, then we have a case of a tragic result from a necessary normally non lethal tool frequently used by almost all police forces to avoid injuring the difficult to arrest suspect. I come to no conclusion; I do not have ALL the facts. Suffice to say that people that do not deal with the criminal element have no idea of the danger and how quickly a seemingly passive event leads to very bad things. To those that have posted that this was a nothing event that the police turned ugly I invite you to apply to put on a uniform and passively run to calls when someone else dials 911. Do that and shortly this country will be flying flags at half staff for you.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:29 AM

I'm just reading an article about a 6 year old boy who was abducted in Calgary yesterday and was found safe by police.
However, the RCMP waited 3 hours to issue their Amber Alert because they said "certain criteria and information needed to be met" !
Boy oh boy! A full 3 hours when a child has been abducted !

And then we see how 4 Mounties waitied a full 23 seconds or so to taser a distraught man at the airport.

Where is the logic in both these cases?

The distraught man should have been given 3 hours of time to calm down and the Amber Alert should have gone out in 23 seconds for that 6 year old child.

The RCMP needs to learn how to do proper policing - they get a failing grade from the public.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:27 AM

Well, apparently from the news report last night the 4 murders..excuse me 4 RCMP officers are still on the job and no action has been taken against them whatsoever. If it was regular people who did this we'd be sitting in jail right now.

JMO, I think people around the world should boycot the 2010 games, from people cancelling their plans and visits to the athletes of the other countries dropping out and refusing to come for the games.

Posted November 16, 2007 06:27 AM

It is indeed a sad and disturbing event that happened in the Vancouver Airport. But how short the collective memory of the public! In the past 3 weeks two RCMP officers died in the line of duty. I am sure neither of them considered their approach to be risk-free, but I am also sure neither of them considered that their approach to the disturbancces they were investigating would turn deadly. I am also certain that the deaths of those two brave young men have been front and center in the minds of all police officers responding to disturbances. Probabky also on the minds f the officers in Vancouver. A wise man one day said: the police are only accused of being inhuman when they start to act like humans. Let us wait for the full results of the enquiry - and then judge - presumed innocence is still the basis of Canandian law, is it not?

Posted November 16, 2007 06:27 AM

The only way the public will ever have confidence in the police is to charge those kllers and send them to jail( it will not happen ) , another RCMP cover up! Every time I hear of someone killing a policman we wonder, was it self defence .

Posted November 16, 2007 06:27 AM

After watching this video I think feel the use of the taser was unnecessary force. This man could have easily been subdude by these officers. As for the above commnets by Robin and Edward in Vancouver, shame on the CBC for not being more diligent in what they publish in these commentaries

Posted November 16, 2007 06:24 AM