Officers 'fell short' with Dziekanski: RCMP

RCMP Commissioner William Elliott acknowledged Friday thatthe force failed at many levels in the Robert Dziekanski case andsaid investigations of incidents involving Mounties will be turned over to B.C.'s civilian oversight body.

"It is clear that our policies and training in place at the time were deficient," Elliott said a few hours after the release of the final report from the inquiry into the death of Dziekanski at Vancouver International Airport in October 2007.

The Polish immigrant died after he was confronted by four RCMP officers responding to reports of an enraged man throwing furniture in the international arrivals area. The officers fired a Taser stun gun at him five times and then restrained him on the airport floor, where he died within minutes.

"This tragic case is, at its heart, a story of shameful conduct by a few officers," retired B.C. Court of Appeal judge Thomas Braidwood wrote in the report.

Elliot admitted that the officersdid not do enough to help Dziekanski.

"We acknowledge that the actions of our members who dealt with Mr. Dziekanski also fell short," Elliott said. "Our officers did not take enough time to try and de-escalate the situation and did not provide an appropriate level of care to Mr. Dziekanski."

Policy changes

Elliott said there have been many changes in the aftermath of his death, including policy changes to ensure officers are warned there is a risk of death with conducted energy weapons such as Tasers and an emphasis on using the least amount of force necessary.

"We hope that the actions we have taken to date, including our apology and our settlement with Mrs. Cisowski [Dziekanski's mother], contribute to the healing process and to public trust in the RCMP," Elliott said.

"While nothing can bring back Mr. Dziekanski, it is our hope that our ongoing efforts will help prevent future tragedies from occurring."

The report follows an exhaustive inquiry that spent much of last year hearing from more than 90 witnesses.

Federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews did not commit to any of the recommendations right away. Toews issued a statement welcoming the report and said his government will take the time necessary for a careful review before commenting.

Dziekanski, who didn't speak English, arrived in Vancouver after a long flight from Poland and spent 10 hours in the airport before he eventually cleared customs. Unable to find his mother or communicate with anyone, Dziekanski began throwing furniture in the airport's international terminal.

Several onlookers called 911 and one witness started filming the scene on his video camera.

The four RCMP officers were told by a 911 operator to expect a drunk suspect. Within seconds of their arrival, one of them fired the Taser, pulling the trigger five times in total, mostly after Dziekanski had fallen to the ground.

Dziekanski's mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit last year against the RCMP and others, but settled the case this past April after receiving a public apology from the force and an undisclosed financial settlement.

The 470-page report is entitled "Why? The Robert Dziekanski Tragedy," after the final word uttered by Dziekanski in Polish before he collapsed and died.