Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

RCMP red-faced

THE inquiry into the Taser-related death of Robert Dziekanski has delivered yet another blow to the prestige of Canada's national police force. The latest offence is an email between RCMP brass that appears to show that four officers planned to taser the Polish man before encountering him at Vancouver's airport, contradicting earlier testimony that no such prejudgment was made.

RCMP and their lawyers have said the email is incorrect and was based on flawed information, but their response merely compounds the problem because it demonstrates they don't understand their sin isn't the email, but the fact it was withheld from the inquiry. It is up to the inquiry judge to determine its importance and validity, not the RCMP and their lawyers.

Senior RCMP officers described the incident as a simple "oversight," but such a glib dismissal is unacceptable. The failure to tender insignificant evidence might be an oversight, but an email that reinforces the suspicion that the officers approached Mr. Dziekanski with the intent of using extreme force is not a minor matter.

Subsequent testimony may show that the email is irrelevant. Unfortunately, however, commissioner Thomas Braidwood felt compelled to put the inquiry on hold until the fall so the contents of the email can be investigated. Depending on the outcome of that investigation, it's possible that the officers involved may need to be re-examined, which could delay the whole affair until the new year.

The inquiry has not been kind to the image of the RCMP, which is unfortunate if it reinforces the cynical views about police that are becoming more common.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 24, 2009 A14

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

Follow

  1. WFP Hockey

    Download our new hockey app for the iPhone for Winnipeg Jets updates

  2. Editor's Bulletin

    Sign up for daily bulletins from editor Margo Goodhand

  3. Winnipeg Jets

    All things NHL on our Jets landing page

  4. Twitter

    Follow our reporters and our news feeds on Twitter

  5. News Cafe

    Check out the menu, read our blog posts or get info on coming events

  6. Facebook Fanpage

    Follow our Facebook Fanpage for story links, contests and special events

letters

Make text: Larger | Smaller

Poll

Are you ready to buy an iPad 3?

View Results

View Related Story