Jump to content

Killing of Robert Dziekański

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by DerHexer (talk | contribs) at 10:07, 21 November 2007 (Reverted edits by Carnivean (talk) to last version by Bobanny). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Killing of Robert Dziekański
File:Dziekanski video.jpg
Robert Dziekanski minutes before his death, holding a table at the YVR customs gate.
Date14 October 2007
Time1:28 AM PST[1]
LocationVancouver International Airport,
Richmond, British Columbia
Wikinews has related news:

Robert Dziekański (April 15, 1967 - October 14, 2007) was a Polish immigrant who arrived at the Vancouver International Airport on 14 October 2007 where he died after being tasered at least twice by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) after waiting 10 hours at the airport. He was 40 years old.

The incident

Dziekański was a construction worker in the process of immigrating from Pieszyce, Poland to live with his mother, Zofia Cisowski, in Kamloops, British Columbia. His flight was two hours late and arrived at about 4 p.m.[2] He did not clear customs for ten hours. His mother had told him to wait for her at the baggage claim area but it was a secured area where she was not allowed to enter. Airport staff told her Dziekański had left the airport and she left believing he had missed his flight.[3] Dziekański became visibly agitated. Bystanders and airport security guards were unable to communicate with him because he could only speak Polish and they did not use the airport's telephone translation service.[4] He used chairs to prop open the one-way doors between a customs clearing area and a public lounge and at one point threw a computer and a small table to the floor before the police arrived.[5]

Four RCMP officers arrived and entered the customs room where Dziekański was waiting. They apparently directed him to stand against a wall, to which Dziekański complied but apparently picked up a stapler while doing so.[6] Shortly thereafter, about 25 seconds after arriving at the scene, police tasered Dziekański, even though he had calmed down and was standing with his hands at his side. Dziekański began to convulse and was tasered a second time after falling to the ground, where the four officers pinned him down and handcuffed him. One eyewitness claimed Dziekański had been tasered as many as four times.[5] He writhed and screamed before he stopped moving. The RCMP then checked for a pulse, but his heart had stopped. Dziekański did not receive CPR until paramedics arrived on the scene approximately 15 minutes later. They were unable to revive him and pronounced him dead.[5]

Controversy

Video

October 14, 2007: Screenshot from video taken by Paul Pritchard showing Robert Dziekanski shortly after being tasered by RCMP officers at Vancouver airport

The entire event was recorded by Paul Pritchard, who handed his camera and the video to police. Police told Pritchard that they would return the video within 48 hours. Instead, they returned the camera with a new memory card and kept the original with the video, stating that they would not release it in order to preserve the integrity of the investigation. They claimed that witness statements would be tainted if they viewed the video before being interviewed by police.[7] Pritchard went to court to obtain the video, which he then released to the media on 14 November 2007.[8] After the video was made available, an RCMP spokesperson cautioned the public to reserve judgment against the police because the video represents "just one piece of evidence, one person's view."[5]

Before the video was released to the public, the RCMP repeatedly claimed that only three officers were at the scene. There were actually 4 officers who arrived at the scene.[5] The RCMP also said that they did not use pepper spray because of the risk it would have posed to bystanders. The video, however, shows that the incident occurred in a room that was separated from bystanders by a thick glass wall.[5] An RCMP spokesperson also stated that batons were not used because of how it would look to the public.[9]

Criticism of the RCMP

Police have been heavily criticized for their handling of the incident. A retired Vancouver Police superintendent commented after viewing the video that Dziekański did not appear to be making “any threatening gestures” towards the police and he did not see why it became a police incident.[5] Particularly contentious is that the RCMP officers made no attempt to defuse or gain control of the situation before resorting to the taser.[10]

The RCMP's handling of the incident has led to charges that they misrepresented the facts in order to portray the RCMP in a favourable light. The BC Civil Liberties Association has filed a complaint refuting the possibility that the taser was used as a last resort, condemning the RCMP's attempt to suppress the video of the incident, and implying that the victim was on drugs and "casting aspersion on the character of Mr. Dziekanski."[11] An RCMP spokesman, Sgt. Pierre Lemaitre, was heavily criticized for providing a false version of events prior to the public release of the video. He stated that Dziekański "continued to throw things around and yell and scream", after the arrival of the police officers, which was later revealed to be false in the video.[12]

Taser debate

See also: Electroshock weapon controversy

The incident has revived debate concerning police use of tasers. This is the sixteenth death following the police use of tasers in Canada since 2003, and civil liberties groups have called for a moratorium on tasers until training and procedures can be developed and implemented to minimize the risks.[13] The human rights group Amnesty International repeated its call for taser use to be suspended until an independent investigation into the medical and other effects has taken place.[14] Canada's seventeenth taser-related death occurred less than a week later when Quilem Registre died after being tasered by police in Montreal.[15]

The police and the manufacturer have claimed that such deaths are the result of pre-existing medical conditions, not the taser jolt. In the Vancouver case, police have suggested that Dziekański died from a condition known as “excited delirium.”[9] A statement from Taser International, the company that makes the stun-gun, concurs, stating that Dziekański's death "appears to follow the pattern of many in-custody deaths following a confrontation with the police. Historically, medical science and forensic analysis has shown that these deaths are attributable to other factors and not the low-energy electrical discharge of the Taser."[16]

Critics, however, point out that "excited delirium" is not recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and that police overuse such so-called conditions as a matter of convenience.[17][18] While some psychologists argue that excited delirium is indeed a bona fide but rare condition that can cause sudden death, other experts say that delirium (without the "excited" modifier) is a well-known condition, but that it is usually triggered by factors such as drugs or a pronounced mental or physical illness and that it is extremely rare for those afflicted to suddenly die.[18] Toxicology tests found no drugs or alcohol in Dziekański's system.[19] An autopsy by the British Columbia Coroner’s Service did not determine the cause of death.[20]

Criticism of airport

The airport has also been criticized over the incident, particularly regarding security cameras that were not functioning, no translation services available for communicating with non-English speakers, the airport supervisor's failure to call the airport's own paramedics resulting in a twelve-minute wait for city paramedics to arrive, and for staff not helping Dziekański's mother locate her son.[21][6]

Airport security has been roundly criticized for not assisting Dziekański during his many hours in the airport. Once he became agitated, security guards made little attempt to communicate with him or de-escalate the situation.[22]

Political reaction

The incident has had significant coverage in Poland. The Polish consul general has demanded answers about Dziekański’s death.[20] Canada's ambassador in Poland has been invited to discuss the incident with officials in Warsaw, and one Polish official has stated that "we want the matter clarified and we want those guilty named and punished."[3]

Stéphane Dion, the Liberal opposition leader, has asked the RCMP to review its taser-use policies.

Canada's Public Safety Minister, Stockwell Day, said that he has asked the RCMP for a review on taser use and that a report is being prepared, and pointed out that several investigations of the incident are already underway. Liberal Public Safety Critic Ujjal Dosanjh said that what was needed was an independent body to conduct a national and public review of the issue in order to develop national guidelines for taser use by law enforcement officers.[23] BC NDP Public Safety Critic and Port Coquitlam MLA Mike Farnworth called for a special prosecutor to be appointed to investigate the incident, citing concerns of police investigating themselves.[24]

The incident is being investigated by the RCMP’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), the British Columbia Coroner’s Service, the Vancouver International Airport Authority, the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP[5] and a public inquiry will be launched by the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. The Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day announced a review will be conducted into the use of Tasers by RCMP.

Law enforcement response

The response from law enforcement has been mixed. Law enforcement professionals have featured prominently in the media criticizing the RCMP’s handling of the situation and the aftermath.[3] The Ottawa Police, the first Ontario Police force to adopt the taser, held a taser demonstration for reporters in order to illustrate their safety.[25] Both the Toronto Police and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, meanwhile, have put large orders of tasers for their front-line officers on hold.[26]

The funeral for Robert Dziekański was held on 17 November in Kamloops.[27]

See also

References

  1. ^ "He spent 10 hours frustrated by airport bureaucracy. Just 24 seconds later, police shot him with tasers". The Globe and Mail. 26 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Grieving mother recalls plans for new life with son". CBC News. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b c "Taser officers should be prosecuted: Polish official". CBC News. 16 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "CTV newscast on YVR's translation service". YouTube. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Taser video shows RCMP shocked immigrant within 25 seconds of their arrival". CBC News. 14 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ a b "Witness blames RCMP, Vancouver airport for death of Tasered man". CBC News. 19 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Police say they won't return witness's video of airport Taser incident". CBC News. 30 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "Cash for Taser video will pay for father's medical treatment: Pritchard". CBC News. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ a b "Man died after 4 Taser jolts, witness alleges". CBC News. 16 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "Video of tasered man's death raises questions about RCMP tactics". CanWest News Service. 14 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ "Letter re: Complaint against the RCMP over public statements and actions in the investigation of the in-custody death of Robert Dziekanski" (PDF). BC Civil Liberties Association. 13 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "RCMP falsehoods on Dziekanski's death". The Globe and Mail. 16 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ "Ban Tasers, says civil liberties group". Ottawa Citizen. 1 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Amnesty International calls for moratorium on Taser use". The Province. 19 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ "Critics demand police shelve Tasers after Montreal man dies". CBC News. 19 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ "Man dies after police jolt him with stun gun". CNN. 18 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ "Suspects' deaths blamed on 'excited delirium'". Associated Press. 25 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ a b "In Depth: Is 'excited delirium' at the root of many Taser deaths?". CBC News. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "No drugs, alcohol in man who died at airport". CTV. 26 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ a b "Polish consul general in Vancouver demands answers for death". CBC News. 26 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ "Airport death video shows man's final moments". CTV.ca. 14 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ "More people to blame than just the Mounties". Vancouver Province. 16 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ "Day rebuffs call for full national review of Taser use". CBC News. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ "Opposition calls for special prosecutor to look into airport death". CBC News. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ "Ottawa police zap officer with Taser to show device's safety". CBC News. 16 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ "We can learn from Taser video, B.C. premier says". CBC News. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ "Memorial held for Polish man who died in Taser incident". CBC. 17 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Killing_of_Robert_Dziekański&oldid=172884291"