News Release

Public Complaints Commission finalizes Robert Dziekanski in-custody death investigation

OTTAWA, October 16, 2009 – The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (CPC) has completed its investigation into Robert Dziekanski's in-custody death which occurred on October 14, 2007.

An interim report has been provided to the Commissioner of the RCMP to allow him an opportunity to indicate what actions, if any, he intends to take in response to the findings and recommendations. The final report will be released publicly.

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 investigation was initiated by CPC Chair Paul Kennedy, on November 8, 2007.

Scope of Investigation

The CPC Chair-initiated complaint called for an assessment and review of the conduct of RCMP members present at, or engaged in, the arrest and treatment of Mr. Dziekanski at the Vancouver International Airport on October 14, 2007, and the adequacy of the subsequent criminal investigation.

A third element to the investigation was later added to include a complaint by the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) pertaining to the "lack of accuracy of information provided to the media and the failure of the RCMP to return the video taken by Mr. Pritchard in a timely manner."

Background

Formal Parameters of Investigation

• 1. Whether the RCMP officers involved in the events of October 14, 2007, from the moment of initial contact until Mr. Dziekanski's subsequent death, complied with all appropriate policies, procedures, guidelines and statutory requirements for the arrest and treatment of persons taken into custody, including any RCMP directives or guidance related to the handling of persons who cannot communicate in either of Canada's official languages, and whether such policies, procedures and guidelines are adequate.
• 2. Whether the RCMP officers involved in the criminal investigation of the members involved in the events of October 14, 2007 complied with the RCMP policies, procedures, guidelines and statutory requirements for the conduct of such an investigation and whether such policies, procedures and guidelines are adequate and, further, whether such investigation was carried out in an adequate and timely fashion.
• 3a. On November 13, 2007, the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) initiated a public complaint pursuant to Part VII of the RCMP Act, pertaining to the lack of accuracy of information provided to the media and the failure of the RCMP to return the video taken by Mr. Pritchard in a timely manner. These actions were characterized by the BCCLA as violations of RCMP policy and professional misconduct on the part of the involved RCMP members.
• 3b. The BCCLA was not satisfied with the RCMP's subsequent investigation into its complaint. In a letter received from the BCCLA dated March 19, 2009, subsequent to the Chair's decision to also address issues involving RCMP media releases, the Commission was requested to review the RCMP investigation into the BCCLA complaint pertaining to RCMP media releases. The Chair acceded to this request and the review has been incorporated into the interim report.

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For more information, please contact:
Nelson Kalil
Manager, Communications
613-952-2452
nelson.kalil@cpc-cpp.gc.ca