In-Custody Death of Robert Dziekanski: A timeline
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October 14, 2007: In-Custody Death of Robert Dziekanski at YVR.
October 15, 2007: CPC Independent Observer Program engaged.
November 8, 2007: CPC launches a Chair-initiated Complaint into the conduct of the RCMP members involved in the arrest of Mr. Robert Dziekanski at the Vancouver International Airport on October 14, 2007 (Dziekanski).
November 20, 2007: Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day requests that the CPC undertake a review of RCMP TASER® protocols.
February 2008: Braidwood Inquiry begins.
June 2008: CPC releases Final Report on RCMP TASER® protocols. This report includes 22 recommendations for immediate implementation.
December 2008: The BC Criminal Justice Branch announced that it would not approve charges against the RCMP members involved in Robert Dziekanski's death.
July 2009: Braidwood Inquiry releases report on the use of the TASER® in British Columbia and makes 19 recommendations to the provincial government regarding its appropriate use by law enforcement agencies in the province.
October 16, 2009: CPC submits Report into Chair-initiated Complaint & Public Interest Investigation (Dziekanski) to RCMP.
December 8, 2009: CPC publicly releases Report into Chair-initiated Complaint & Public Interest Investigation (Dziekanski).
June 18, 2010: Braidwood Inquiry releases final report.
December 20, 2010: CPC receives the RCMP Commissioner's Notice (RCMP Response to the October 16, 2009 report).
January 14, 2011: The Commission followed up with the RCMP to determine what action, if any, had been or would be taken to address the recommendations not referenced in the Commissioner's Notice.
January 19, 2011: RCMP provided a formal response to the CPC addressing all outstanding recommendations.
February 10, 2011: CPC Chair publicly releases his final report.
In-Custody Death of Robert Dziekanski: Additional Information
On October 14, 2007, four Richmond RCMP members responded to a complaint of a male acting erratically at the Vancouver International Airport. While attempting to subdue and arrest the individual, later identified as Mr. Robert Dziekanski, the members deployed a conducted energy weapon (TASER). Shortly after being taken into custody, Mr. Dziekanski went unconscious. Emergency services personnel attended; however, Mr. Dziekanski died at the scene.
CPC Independent Observer
The Role of the Observer
The civilian Independent Observer assesses the impartiality of the RCMP team conducting the investigation. Factors that may be used to assess impartiality include the relative rank of the investigator or whether the member of the investigative team has ever:
- worked with or been stationed at the same detachment with any RCMP member who is the subject of the investigation;
- had a social relationship or social interaction with any RCMP member who is the subject of the investigation;
- attended training at Depot (troopmate) during the same period with any RCMP member who is the subject of the investigation; or
- been stationed or has worked at the detachment in which the investigation is taking place.
Additionally, the Independent Observer identifies any other factor that could affect the perception of impartiality as it relates to the investigative member participating in the investigation, such as comments made by the members of the investigative team to one another, to the Independent Observer or to any other person.
The IOP is aimed at enhancing public confidence in RCMP-led investigations into its own members with respect to the impartiality of the RCMP team conducting the investigation.
It is important to note that the CPC Observer accredited all Integrated Homicide Investigative Team (IHIT) members involved in the investigation of the in-custody death of Robert Dziekanski. No issues related to the impartiality of the investigation were identified.
Chair-Initiated Complaints & Public Interest Investigations
A Chair-initiated complaint can be made under Part VII of the RCMP Act. The Chair may initiate a complaint if he is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to do so.
If the Chair deems it in the public interest, the Chair may commence an investigation into the conduct of an RCMP member.
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