March 28, 2024

Five years since Dziekanski TASER death

It has been five years since an immigrant from Poland died on the floor of Vancouver’s international airport after repeatedly being stunned by an RCMP TASER.

Robert Dziekanski’s death was the catalyst for police no longer being allowed to investigate themselves in British Columbia.

Retired judge Thomas Braidwood recommended the now month-old independent investigations office back in 2009.

“They’re doing a very good job, so I’m very pleased.”

When asked whether he was concerned about how long it took to get the independent office up and running Braidwood said there was a reason.

“They had to get good personnel. I’m not disappointed in that. They did it right. I’m glad they didn’t rush it.”

Braidwood is also pleased police use of stun guns has dropped eighty seven per cent since Dziekanski’s October 2007 death.

He’s slated to testify this week before a legislative panel reviewing how all his recommendations have been implemented.

While Braidwood praises the provincial government for taking action on all his recommendations, the lawyer representing Robert Dziekanski’s mother says more work is needed.

Walter Kosteckyj believes the public’s trust in the RCMP remains shattered.

“They also have some significant moral problems within their own ranks. I think that this comes from the leadership of the RCMP and I think that the leadership of the RCMP has not done a great job up until this point, in dealing, one with the public and their own members.”

He says his client still has questions about how her 40-year old son spent several hours at the airport before being noticed by any form of security.

Our request for comment from the Canada border services agency has not yet been approved, but Steve Hankinson –the vice-president of operations at YVR– says more than 30 improvements have been made since this tragedy.

“It continues to shape how we think about the airport and how we provide care for every customer here at YVR and we continue to look at those processes -make changes to those and add new ones to ensure that we’re caring for every customer.”

He adds YVR has increased the number of volunteers offering travelers help from 200 five years ago to more than 500 today.

CKNW Vancouver News

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