Canada Earns A Black Mark In Dziekanski Death

By Ben Meisner

If the media took 14 months to correct a mistake that we had reported, we would be criticized, in fact in some cases sued for our actions. Yet 14 months in the police investigation into the death of Robert Dziekanski is being passed off as just an oversight in the investigation.

That investigation was carried out by, the RCMP into the conduct of the RCMP, why in the world did it take 14 months before we find out that Dziekanski was hit five times by a taster not 2 as first reported. If the investigation is as complete as the police have suggested, that information should have been out before the public, 13 months and a few days earlier.

It took 3 security officers and four police officers 43 seconds after arriving on the scene  before they had made up their minds he was a threat and needed to be tazered.

The result has been that regardless of the media conference held, the world has taken a new look at the way our federal police force conducts itself and what they see they don’t like.

We are quick to complain about the justice system in Mexico, but what sets us apart?

The RCMP took it upon themselves to travel to Poland to try and dig up Dziekanski’s past. They discovered that he had at one time a drinking problem and he had a fear of flying. That information of course was relayed to the public at the media conference to try and portray him as someone that was not that "level".

What does that information have to do with the fact that he was approached by four police officers and within second’s tasered at the Vancouver International airport? Even the Polish government who have seen their share of intimidation wouldn’t allow the RCMP to talk to the Polish people without them present. Did they also smell through the antics?

So while a hearing will be held into the death of the Polish immigrant and questions will be raised as to why it became necessary to tazer the guy within 43 seconds of arriving on the scene, the result will be the same. Regardless of what the next hearing produces, Canada not just the Vancouver International Airport, will be viewed as a place where the police are a cut above the rest of society, and not unlike third world countries their law is above the rank and file of the nation.

I’m Meisner and that’s one man’s opinion.

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