AP Features, November 20th, 2007
British Columbia's provincial leader apologized to the mother of a Polish immigrant who died after being shocked by a Taser stun gun at Vancouver's airport, and the province launched a full public investigation into the fatality.
British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell on Monday said "I'm glad to apologize for what took place. That was something that was devastating to her in more ways than I can even begin to imagine."
"I'm sure the RCMP would be glad to apologize. So I'm glad to apologize on behalf of people in British Columbia for what took place."
Video released last week of the last moments of Robert Dziekanski's life shows police using a Taser stun gun on him just 46 seconds after confronting him.
British Columbia Solicitor General John Les said the inquiry will also look at the policy governing the use of Taser stun guns by police in the western Canadian province.
A coroner's inquest has already been called and police have launched their own investigation. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have also said they are reviewing Taser use; 18 people have died in Canada after being hit with a Taser in the last four years.
Dziekanski, 40, of Gliwice, Poland, arrived at the airport Oct. 14. It was his first flight, and was to be the start of a new life with his mother in western Canada.
But Dziekanski, who spoke only Polish, began acting erratically at the airport. He apparently became upset when he did not see his mother in the secure baggage area — which she was not allowed to enter.
She had told him to wait for her there, and he did, for about 10 hours. When she could not find anyone to help her get to the secure area, and he did not emerge, she thought he had missed his flight and she left the airport.
Before the officers arrived Dziekanski threw a computer to the ground and lined up chairs, a small wooden table and a clipboard along the doors separating the secure zone from the public waiting area.
The man who shot the videotape, Paul Pritchard, said he initially thought that police acted appropriately. But he said he has changed his mind after watching the videotape, which he lent to police and was returned to him a month later.
The video showed officers Tasering a distressed Dziekanski twice, after arriving on scene, and then physically subduing him on the floor. Dziekanski died at the scene.
Canada's federal police commissioner said Saturday the four officers involved in the death have been reassigned.
Canada's ambassador to Poland, David Preston, expressed deep sympathy to a Polish Foreign Ministry official in Warsaw on Monday. Preston discussed the issue with Andrzej Jasionowski, the head of the consular section at the ministry.
"The ambassador expressed deep sympathy and said that this tragic accident was the subject of an investigation," ministry spokesman Piotr Paszkowski said.
Campbell appeared mindful the airport Taser incident may give Canada and British Columbia a black eye.
"We think it's important for British Columbians and people who are going to visit British Columbia to know what we've learned and what we're going to do differently," Campbell said.
