Killing of Robert Dziekański

The Incident at Vancouver Airport

Robert Dziekański, a 40-year-old construction worker and former miner from Gliwice, Poland, arrived at Vancouver International Airport on the evening of October 13, 2007, to immigrate and live with his mother, Zofia Cisowski, in Kamloops, British Columbia. His flight was two hours late, landing around 3:15 p.m., and he required language support to complete initial customs formalities. After primary immigration inspection, he was directed to a secondary area but instead spent approximately ten hours wandering the secure baggage claim area, where his mother had told him to wait but could not enter. Cisowski made enquiries with airport staff throughout the afternoon and evening, but was incorrectly told her son was not at the airport, leading her to return to Kamloops around 10 p.m. Dziekański's immigration procedures were finally completed around 12:15 a.m. on October 14, and after 30 minutes in a waiting area, he was taken to the international arrivals reception lounge. In the public lounge, Dziekański became visibly agitated and distressed, using chairs to prop open one-way doors and throwing a computer and a small table to the floor, while bystanders and security guards could not communicate with him. Four RCMP officers, Constables Gerry Rundel, Bill Bentley, Kwesi Millington, and their supervisor, Corporal Benjamin Robinson, were dispatched to the scene and entered the customs room where Dziekański was pacing. The officers directed him to stand near a counter, which he did, but he then picked up a stapler. Within about 25 seconds of their arrival, Corporal Robinson ordered the use of a Taser. Constable Millington deployed the weapon, and Dziekański was shocked multiple times, with witness accounts stating he was Tasered four times and BC Crown counsel stating five times. Millington later testified he deployed it four times but believed some probes may not have made contact. The officers then pinned the convulsing man to the ground, handcuffed him, and continued to apply the Taser. Dziekański writhed and screamed before stopping moving. Corporal Robinson stated he checked for a pulse but found none, though other officers testified they never saw anyone check. Dziekański did not receive CPR until paramedics arrived roughly 12 to 15 minutes later. Resuscitation attempts for 20 minutes failed, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Video, Seizure, and Contradicted RCMP Account

The entire confrontation was recorded on a digital camera by traveller Paul Pritchard, who was at the airport. Pritchard voluntarily gave his camera and the memory card to the RCMP, who initially promised to return it within 48 hours but instead kept the original video, returning the camera with a new memory card. Police stated they needed the video to preserve the integrity of the investigation and that witness statements would be tainted if they saw it first. Pritchard went to court to obtain the video and released it to the media on November 14, 2007, with three television outlets paying fees for the broadcast rights. The video's broadcast fundamentally contradicted the official RCMP account of the event and ignited public controversy. Prior to its release, RCMP spokesperson Sergeant Pierre Lemaitre had provided a version of events that was later proven false by the video, including claims that Dziekański was throwing things and screaming after police arrived and that only three officers were present. The video clearly showed four officers and depicted Dziekański's rapid incapacitation. The RCMP also claimed they did not use pepper spray due to risk to bystanders and that batons were not used, but the video showed the incident occurred in an area separated from the public by a glass wall. After the video aired, an RCMP spokesperson cautioned the public to reserve judgment, calling the video just one small piece of evidence from one person's view. The handling of the video led to accusations that the RCMP attempted to suppress evidence and mislead the public. Sergeant Lemaitre committed suicide in 2013. His wife alleged his involvement in the case and subsequent demotion within the RCMP were contributing factors, stating he was merely providing the facts he was given and was prevented from correcting his statements later.

The Braidwood Commission of Inquiry and Findings

In response to public pressure, the Government of British Columbia established the Braidwood Commission of Inquiry, headed by retired justice Thomas R. Braidwood of the BC and Yukon Courts of Appeal. The inquiry had two phases, with the second phase specifically investigating the death of Robert Dziekański. Proceedings began in February 2008 after two delays, and all four involved RCMP officers were summoned to testify, with commission counsel Art Vertlieb stating they could face findings of misconduct. Constables Rundel and Bentley testified the week of February 23, 2009, Constable Millington testified the following week, and Corporal Robinson testified beginning March 23, 2009. The commission's work was delayed by legal challenges from the officers, who sought judicial review to prevent the commissioner from making findings of misconduct based on formal notices served to them. These petitions were dismissed, and appeals by three officers were lost. The inquiry heard extensive testimony about the events of that night and the RCMP's policies on Taser use, which had been changed in August 2007 to suggest multiple shocks could be appropriate. Commissioner Braidwood released his final report on June 18, 2010. The report concluded that the RCMP officers were not justified in using the Taser against Dziekański and that they had later deliberately misrepresented their actions to investigators. Braidwood stated the case represented shameful conduct by a few officers but should not reflect on the RCMP as a whole. He left questions of criminal charges for the Crown to decide. The report made numerous recommendations for reforming police procedures, particularly around the use of conducted energy weapons and the handling of incidents involving people in crisis.

Criminal Investigations, Perjury Trials, and Outcomes

The path to criminal charges was complex and unfolded over nearly a decade. In December 2008, the BC Criminal Justice Branch announced it would not approve charges related to Dziekański's death, finding that while the officers' restraint was a contributing cause, the force used was reasonable and necessary, so a conviction was unlikely. All four were charged with perjury, not for their actions the night of the death, but for allegedly lying under oath about those actions. The notices of misconduct from the inquiry alleged they failed to properly assess the situation, used the Taser without justification, and afterwards misrepresented facts in notes, statements, and to the commission itself. The trials proceeded separately over several years and were costly, involving a special prosecutor Richard Peck. Constable Bill Bentley was the first to stand trial and was acquitted in 2013. Constable Gerry Rundel was cleared of all charges in 2015. Constable Kwesi Millington, who fired the Taser, was found guilty of perjury in February 2015 for colluding with fellow officers and misleading the inquiry, and was sentenced to 30 months in prison in June of that year. Corporal Benjamin Robinson was also convicted of perjury and sentenced to two years in prison. On October 30, 2017, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the appeals and affirmed the sentences of Millington and Robinson. The prosecutions revealed that plea deals were offered. Robinson was offered a conditional sentence in exchange for an admission and testimony against the others, and Bentley was offered a deal to drop the Crown's appeal of his acquittal in exchange for testimony, but both offers were rejected. Three of the officers remained on duty elsewhere in Canada for a time, while Robinson had resigned from the RCMP in July 2012 after being found guilty of obstruction of justice in an unrelated fatal collision case.

Broader Impacts on Policing, Policy, and Public Debate

The death of Robert Dziekański had deep effects on multiple Canadian institutions and sparked nationwide debates that led to concrete changes. Civil liberties groups like the BC Civil Liberties Association and Amnesty International called for a moratorium on Taser use until independent medical studies and better training were implemented. The police and manufacturer TASER International argued deaths were due to pre-existing conditions like 'excited delirium,' a term critics noted is not recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and is often triggered by drugs or illness, not present in Dziekański's clean toxicology. The BC Coroners Service ruled the death a homicide in 2013, citing a heart attack caused by the Taser shocks, while the autopsy listed the principal cause as 'sudden death during restraint' with chronic alcoholism as a contributory factor. In response to public pressure, many police forces revised their policies. The RCMP and other agencies changed protocols to emphasize de-escalation and restrict Taser use to situations where there is a threat of bodily harm. The Ottawa Police held a Taser demonstration for reporters to illustrate their safety, while the Toronto Police and Royal Newfoundland Constabulary put large orders for the weapons on hold. The case also exposed serious deficiencies in airport procedures, leading to criticism of Vancouver International Airport for non-functioning security cameras, a lack of translation services, and failure to assist Dziekański or his mother. The Canada Border Services Agency initiated a review of its airport procedures. The incident damaged Canada's international reputation, particularly with Poland, where there was significant media coverage. The Polish consul general and ambassador demanded answers and punishment, and the Crown's 2008 decision not to charge the officers was called 'most disappointing.' Canada's unilateral suspension of its mutual legal assistance treaty with Poland in 2009 blocked Poland's own investigation into the incident. In April 2010, the RCMP issued a formal apology to Dziekański's mother, Zofia Cisowski, who accepted it and a financial settlement, dropping her lawsuit.

• A comprehensive review and restriction of RCMP Taser use-of-force policies, moving away from the 2007 protocol that allowed multiple shocks.
• Enhanced training for police in de-escalation techniques and dealing with individuals in crisis or with language barriers.
• Increased scrutiny of in-custody death investigations, contributing to the creation of independent civilian oversight bodies like BC's Independent Investigations Office.
• Improvements in airport services for non-English speakers and clearer protocols for handling distressed passengers and family enquiries.
• A lasting public and legal scrutiny of the term 'excited delirium' used to explain custody deaths.
• A legal precedent for holding police officers accountable for testimony given under oath at public inquiries.
• Heightened public expectation for transparency from police, showed by the critical role of civilian video evidence.

The Human Toll, Aftermath, and Lasting Significance

The tragedy extended beyond Robert Dziekański to deeply and permanently affect many others involved, revealing systemic failures and personal costs. His mother, Zofia Cisowski, endured the horror of her son's death captured on video and became a vocal advocate for justice and police accountability, managing years of legal proceedings and public attention. The four RCMP officers faced intense public scrutiny, career disruption, and the protracted stress of lengthy criminal trials, with their legal bills paid by the public and RCMP Staff Sgt. Mike Ingles commenting that such long prosecutions may not be in the public interest. The case had fatal consequences for Sergeant Pierre Lemaitre, whose wife stated his involvement as spokesperson and subsequent demotion within the RCMP led to his suicide in 2013. The BC Coroners Service's 2013 homicide ruling provided a formal legal finding on the cause of death, which was initially unclear in the autopsy that noted signs of chronic alcoholism but no trauma. The case showed the critical importance of transparency in policing, as the public video evidence was instrumental in challenging the official narrative and driving the inquiry. It also highlighted the vulnerabilities of immigrants and non-English speakers within Canadian border and security systems, showing how a lack of translation services and poor communication can lead to tragic outcomes. The legal and financial costs of the case were immense, with millions spent on the Braidwood Inquiry and the multi-year prosecutions led by a team of lawyers. The Dziekański case remains a landmark in Canadian law enforcement history, serving as a constant reference point in discussions on police accountability, appropriate use of force, and the treatment of individuals in distress. It demonstrated the power of civilian documentation and the necessity of independent oversight, leaving a legacy of reformed policies and a heightened awareness of the grave responsibilities borne by those in authority.

Questions about Killing of Robert Dziekański

What happened to Robert Dziekański at the Vancouver airport?

Robert Dziekański, a Polish immigrant who did not speak English, became agitated after a ten-hour wait in the secure customs area of Vancouver International Airport. When four RCMP officers arrived, they Tasered him multiple times within seconds of encountering him, then restrained him on the ground. He went into cardiac arrest and died at the scene. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of October 14, 2007, and the BC Coroner later ruled the death a homicide caused by the Taser shocks.

Why was the video of the incident so important?

The video, recorded by bystander Paul Pritchard, provided an objective record that directly contradicted the initial RCMP account of the event. It showed the speed with which the officers used the Taser, the number of shocks administered, and the fact that four officers were present, not three as initially claimed. Its seizure by police and subsequent court-ordered release raised issues of transparency. The video's broadcast forced a re-examination of the case, fueled public outrage, and was central evidence in the subsequent public inquiry and perjury trials.

What did the Braidwood Inquiry conclude?

The Braidwood Commission of Inquiry, which reported in June 2010, concluded that the RCMP officers were not justified in using the Taser against Robert Dziekański. It also found that the officers later deliberately misrepresented their actions to investigators. The inquiry served formal notices of misconduct to the four officers, alleging they failed to assess the situation, used the Taser without justification, and misled the inquiry. Commissioner Braidwood's report made several recommendations for reforming police Taser use and procedures for dealing with people in crisis.

How did the case change police use of Tasers in Canada?

The Dziekański case was a catalyst for major policy changes. It prompted a national review of conducted energy weapon use, with the RCMP revising its policies to restrict Taser deployment to situations where there is a threat of bodily harm, emphasizing de-escalation tactics first. Several police services, including Toronto and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, temporarily halted plans to expand Taser use to front-line officers. The debate also intensified scrutiny of the medical explanation of 'excited delirium' often cited in such deaths.

What was the international impact of the case?

The incident received significant media coverage in Poland. The Polish consul general and ambassador demanded answers and punishment for those responsible. The Polish embassy criticized the 2008 Crown decision not to charge the RCMP officers as most disappointing. In 2009, Canada unilaterally suspended its mutual legal assistance treaty with Poland, which blocked Poland's own investigation into the death. In December 2011, the Polish investigation was terminated after Canada denied a request for documents.

Were the RCMP officers charged with killing Robert Dziekański?

No officer was charged directly with causing Robert Dziekański's death. The Criminal Justice Branch of British Columbia decided in December 2008 not to approve criminal charges like manslaughter, stating the force used to subdue him was reasonable and necessary. However, all four officers involved were later charged with perjury for their testimony at the Braidwood Inquiry into the death. Following trials, Constables Bill Bentley and Gerry Rundel were cleared of all charges. Constable Kwesi Millington was convicted and sentenced to 30 months in prison, and Corporal Benjamin Robinson was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison.

Sources and further reading

• Killing of Robert Dziekański (Wikipedia)
• Robert Dziekanski: Questioning the public interest in ... (cbc.ca)

Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-10-31.