Dziekanski criminal probe reopened

[china]

By CBC News, cbc.ca, Updated: June 18, 2010 6:48 PM
Dziekanski criminal probe reopened

The B.C. government will reopen the investigation into the actions of the four RCMP officers linked to the death of Robert Dziekanski, says Attorney General Mike de Jong.
The move follows the release of retired justice Thomas Braidwood's harshly critical final report into the fatal incident at Vancouver airport in October 2007.
"Since receipt of this report, the assistant deputy attorney general, Bob Gillen, has determined, and I agree, that it is appropriate to appoint a special prosecutor to review this matter," said de Jong in a statement.
"There was misconduct here ... and that reflects badly, and that's why Mr. Braidwood used the language that he did," said de Jong, who has not yet released the name of the special prosecutor.
Civilian oversight unit planned
The government will also act immediately to implement all of the recommendations in the final report, including setting up a civilian-led unit to investigate all deaths and serious incidents involving municipal police and RCMP, said de Jong.
"B.C. agrees with the intent, [principle] and purpose of each of the report's recommendations," he said.
The new Independent Investigation Office will have a mandate to conduct criminal investigations into police-related incidents involving death or serious harm, with discretion to pursue other investigations, he said.
The IIO will also be:
- Led by a civilian who has never served as police officer in Canada.
- Accountable to the Ministry of Attorney General.
- Have its powers entrenched in legislation.
De Jong said the province will also implement several other recommendations contained in Braidwood's final report, including urging the federal government to ensure that the Canada Border Services Agency and the Vancouver Airport Authority:
- Improve tracking of international passengers through customs.
- Implement systems that allow for communication between passengers and people who are there to greet them.
- Provide interpreter services.
- Enhance security and medical response policies.

 

[earth_as_one]

The format sounds relatively objective. But it could still turn into a witch hunt or a white wash.

I'd prefer the IIL is led by an experienced and reputable judge that used to work as a cop, rather than a politician trying to make a name for themselves. Having some experience in law enforcement should be considered an asset IMO. Blocking these people from eligibility seems unfair and unwise.

Both Canadian and Law Enforcement officials' interest require these people are treated in a fair and just manner.

 

[JLM]

It looks as if after 21/2 long years this case is finally starting to move in the right direction. We've now been told officially at taxpayers' expense what 99.99% of us realized the minute we first saw Mr. Pritchard's photos. Just too bad it's cost us millions to get that confirmed, the shock of which is superceded only by the fact these cops have continued to receive their salary all this time. I used to think that the vast majority of cops were decent upright people and I suppose the majority still are although that number is quickly diminishing in my mind.

 

[earth_as_one]

Cops are human like the rest of us. Just like us most are decent upright people. Usually they are polite and helpful. During my last encounter, I was stopped for speeding. He asked if I wanted to see the radar reading, I said he looked trustworthy. I got a ticket for speeding, a lecture about safe driving/risks associated with dangerous driving, as well as directions where to pay my fine. His last words were slow down and have a nice day...

 

[JLM]

Cops are human like the rest of us. Just like us most are decent upright people. Usually they are polite and helpful. During my last encounter, I was stopped for speeding. He asked if I wanted to see the radar reading, I said he looked trustworthy. I got a ticket for speeding, a lecture about safe driving/risks associated with dangerous driving, as well as directions where to pay my fine. His last words were slow down and have a nice day...

Basically you are right- it's just too bad the Dziekanski had the bad fortune to get 4/4 thugs.

 

[JLM]

Can anyone enlighten me as to why Monty Robinson, the officer who killed the motor cyclist, while driving under the influence and who left the scene and is facing charges of obstruction of justice in on leave with pay? That alone tells me "something is rotten in Denmark". 8O8O

 

[coldstream]

I'm glad the report isn't a white wash. Frankly there is something systemic behind the actions of these officers, as uncalled for as they were.

It's something you see on news reports and police shows all the time, which calls for a threat of overwhelming force as a first resort rather than a commensurate response as needed. This precludes any diffusing of a situation, which could have happened easily in this case, with a simple assesment of the situation.. and inflames and aggravates it instead.

At the very least the character of these policemen, who acted like a pack of wild dogs around a prey, rather than calm reasoned (highly armed) law enforcement officials, should bring into question whether they should not all be fired.

The current fashionable idea in police forces is that they are the 'toughest gang in a rumble' rather than cool heads and public servants.. admittedly under pressure.. is pervasive these days.

 

[L Gilbert]

Can anyone enlighten me as to why Monty Robinson, the officer who killed the motor cyclist, while driving under the influence and who left the scene and is facing charges of obstruction of justice in on leave with pay? That alone tells me "something is rotten in Denmark". 8O8O

I read somewhere that Robinson had been caught but not charged with DUI before the airport incident. So I've been wondering why in the hell he was ever put in charge of anything after having displayed bad judgement before.

 

[JLM]

I read somewhere that Robinson had been caught but not charged with DUI before the airport incident. So I've been wondering why in the hell he was ever put in charge of anything after having displayed bad judgement before.

Now I've learnt that the other three officers are ALL on paid sick leave. Like did they all come down with the flu at the same time? How much of the past 21/2 years have they been on paid sick leave? When I was in the work force, there were very very few people who even qualified for one year of sick leave and most were probably limited to two months especially employees the age of these officers. I think under the "Freedom of INformation" Act all the details of these shenanigans should be available to the public. But on second thought we'd probably just get told it falls under Doctor - Patient confidentiality. Oh well, like the China man said "flucked again".

 

[Avro]

Cops are human like the rest of us. Just like us most are decent upright people. Usually they are polite and helpful. During my last encounter, I was stopped for speeding. He asked if I wanted to see the radar reading, I said he looked trustworthy. I got a ticket for speeding, a lecture about safe driving/risks associated with dangerous driving, as well as directions where to pay my fine. His last words were slow down and have a nice day...

Oh well then....nothing to see here folks...move along...just a dead guy and an apologist for the liars who killed him.:roll:

 

[earth_as_one]

Oh well then....nothing to see here folks...move along...just a dead guy and an apologist for the liars who killed him.:roll:

I expect everyone involved in this incident are held accountable for their actions. I support a fair and objective investigation and let the chips fall where they may. I don't support witch hunts or whitewashings.

I'm not willing to demonize all police officers because of the actions of a few. I'm sure Canada's police forces have a few bad apples and they should be weeded out. But every time I've had dealing with the police, the officers maintained a high degree of professionalism. As a result, I have a high opinion of the police in general, despite this incident.