This is, by far, the most embarassing event in Canadian history. Canada's finest, the RCMP, displaying themselves as banana republic military security. A man killed in cold blood when 4 trained officers could have physically restrained him. And on top of that, these officers don't seem to recognize the signs of a man dying under nose. Who is the RCMP recruiting these days???????
Rick, 2007-11-16 14:25:57

No, you are all wrong--this isn't going to bother the R.C.M.P. one bit because they investigate themselves and they will -find that "they were justified in their actions." Just wait and see. It's a complete no-brainer. Dale Carr and Wally Opal are on their side and that is all they need. They already said they are waiting for "more evidence." BULL! There is no more evidence. It's only a way to fool the public into thinking that the R.C.M.P. were justified in using excessive force to kill a man. Not only was the poor guy tasered and jumped on by four big unthinking cops, they straddled him and crushed his windpipe and prevented air from entering his lungs. This is nothing more than a deplorable act of murder. Fire all those cops and get somebody in there that can actually think. Totally disgusted.
sharlene, 2007-11-16 14:09:23

If a Canadian had died in this manner in a foreign country our outrage would be unanimous.

Not all gun shot wounds are fatal. The taser is not much different. It should only be used in a situation that requires lethal force.

What I saw in that video was a crime against a person who had been in our country 10 hous. I am ashamed.
Steve in Ottawa, 2007-11-16 14:03:56

In response to Sharon. Where did you see a dangerous object in his hand? 26 seconds to calm somebody down. Tell me one thing the police did right. It was murder!!!
maria, 2007-11-16 13:55:09

It seems strange that 4 burly RCMP officiers had to use a tazer to subdue an unarmed man. Tazers should be used only in case of a person having a Knife, club or other such weapon that would endanger an officier attemting to make an arrest. Since it has been stated over and over agin that only people who are in an agitated state from either drugs or other factors that cause their hearts to beat rapidly are the only ones who die from tazer usage, then why do the Police use tazers in those situations when they know it could cause a death. It has been reported that tazers are only to be used in a situation where a police officer would use a gun. Since, when did Police start using a gun on unarmed people, remember this is Canada not the USA.

Also suspensions without pay should be considered for the Customs or Immigration people who would not tell that poor mother that her son was there.

Government officials are saying don't make judgements until the investigations are over, but since the government is liable for any wrong doing and they are the ones investigating what are we to do. To many times in our past history has the government covered up wrong doing by Police officiers.
Lloyd B. Stevenson, 2007-11-16 13:36:33

Dave

Lets give some other scenarios about the unknown. Does he have aids, will he bight you? Does he have a concealed weapon? Does he have sharp objects in pocket like needles? Will he go nuts and hurt me. Will I hurt him trying to subdue him if he resists?

Will he get a hold of my gun and shoot me or someone else in the struggle (I can't just lay it on the floor). Obviously there are many scenarios that have been investigated for it to be the policy to Tazer first. Its a very unfortunate incident.
wayne, 2007-11-16 13:30:18

unfortunately in this day

and age, people who throw

temper tantrums at airports

are dealt with accordingly,

look at pheonix, az. last month.

ther is no more room for

unstable people any more.

we can't blame the police for everything that happens.

paul legrand, 2007-11-16 13:29:11

I'm embarrassed to be a Canadian
Rick Dawes, 2007-11-16 13:27:13

When I viewed and heard that disturbing video of the callousness that took place at the YVR I was not surprised. No intervention by YVR for 10 hours to obtain an interpreter for a Polish "immigrant" whose "welcome" was a death sentence. And to add insult to injury, the RCMP AND YVR "security" and any/all personnel at YVR simply stood around and never even offered basic CPR. Section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms states: "EVERY PERSON is guaranteed the life, liberty, and security of the person in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice." The "guarantee" in such an out-of-control and badly handled demise of a man try to come to a country with "fundamental justice" leaves a bitter after-taste.

I sponsored a friend of mine from California back in the 1970s to become a Canadian citizen. She spoke three other languages besides English, French being one of the languages, and she was working on foreign language number 4. She became an "interpreter" for a major airline at YVR. She married her Canadian boyfriend, whose family had resided in California for a considerable number of years. She always has the capacity to "stand back" and "assess" situations. What took place at YVR by any/all parties involved is not procrastination, it is obscurity, skirting around the real issues, policies, principles, and practices, must be upheld to the full extent of the laws in Canada, for the good of the nation as a whole. Anything less displays a hostile environment and discourages people to feel free to ask for "help." He thought the "police" were there to "help" him - "finally." The tarnished Maple Leaf. Is this what the Canadian soldiers are dying for? What took place is not different that third world dictatorships. What an absolute embarrassment and "leadership" is displayed by "admitting" and taking "responsibility" for what occurred - the unavoidable and preventable death of an "innocent MAN."

My sincere condolences to Canada. You are burying yourselves/ourselves if this is not addressed with proper, public accountability. Hopefully, lawyers are not lining up to cover-up or "stretch the truth" anymore. If it were not for that video - no one would know the truth. That video "is the story."
Susan G. Pierce-Jensen, 2007-11-16 13:20:52

The RCMP should be charged with Murder!

This is disgusting to happen in Canada.
pissed off voting canadian, 2007-11-16 13:03:39