Report into the RCMP in-custody death of Mr. Robert Dziekanski, October 14, 2007
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December 8, 2009
Ottawa, Ontario – The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP's (CPC) two-year long investigation into the RCMP in-custody death of Robert Dziekanski on October 14, 2007 has concluded. The CPC report highlights 23 findings and 16 recommendations made to the RCMP. The report was provided to the RCMP and the Minister of Public Safety on October 15, 2009.
The CPC endeavours to include the RCMP Commissioner's response to reports it writes prior to public release. However, with more than 100 complaints received on this case, the CPC has deemed it in the public interest to release the report without any further delay.
The details of the Robert Dziekanski case are now well-known to the public. Simply stated, the conduct of the four members of the RCMP who responded to the 911 calls of a disturbance being caused by Mr. Dziekanski fell short of that expected of members of the RCMP. Additionally, while the subsequent investigation was found to be unbiased, it could have been done better. The CPC report also raises concerns about the manner in which the RCMP communicated with the public following Mr. Dziekanski's death.
It is the CPC's intent that its findings and recommendations contribute to the improvement of policing practices and assist in preventing such a tragedy from recurring.
Key Findings
While they were in the lawful execution of their duties as police officers, the four officers failed to adopt a measured, coordinated and appropriate response to Mr. Dziekanski's reported behaviour.
The senior on-scene RCMP member failed to take charge of the RCMP's response.
No meaningful attempt was made to de-escalate the situation.
No warning—visual or otherwise—was given to Mr. Dziekanski prior to him being tasered by the Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW).
Use of the CEW against Mr. Dziekanski was premature and inappropriate.
The CEW was used multiple times on Mr. Dziekanski without any significant effort made to determine the need for further use.
The RCMP members present should have more actively provided first aid and monitored Mr. Dziekanki's condition.
The four RCMP members inappropriately met alone after the death of Mr. Dziekanski—prior to giving their statements.
The versions of events given to investigators by the four RCMP officers involved in the Vancouver International Airport in-custody death of Robert Dziekanski are not deemed credible by the CPC.
The senior on-scene RCMP member should not have been present at the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) briefing held at the Richmond Detachment on October 14, 2007.
No bias or partiality toward the involved RCMP members was present in the IHIT investigation of the death of Mr. Dziekanski, but the Pritchard video should have been shown to the members before taking statements from them.
The RCMP should have released certain information to the media which would have served to clarify information pertaining to the death of Mr. Dziekanski and corrected erroneous information previously provided without compromising the IHIT investigation.
The CPC first became engaged in the Vancouver International Airport incident on October 15, 2007 when it deployed an independent observer to the RCMP's criminal investigation into events surrounding the death of Mr. Dziekanski. The CPC Chair-initiated complaint and subsequent investigation was launched by CPC Chair Paul E. Kennedy on November 8, 2007.
The CPC is distinct and independent of the RCMP and has jurisdiction over public complaints regarding all members of the RCMP.
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For more information, please contact:Nelson KalilManager, Communications613-952-2452nelson.kalil@cpc-cpp.gc.ca
