RCMP apologize for man who died after being Tasered, not their actions

Chad Skelton and Neal Hall (Calgary Herald) – One day before RCMP Deputy Commissioner Gary Bass publicly apologized to Robert Dziekanski’s mother for the Mounties’ role in his death after being Tasered, Bass e-mailed a Mountie assuring him the apology did not mean the force was sorry for anything specific its officers did.

“Even though the word ‘apology’ worries some, we are not apologizing for the actions of specific members or saying anything about specific actions,” Bass wrote in a March 31 e-mail to RCMP staff relations representative Brian Roach.

“I am apologizing for the loss of her son and where the (RCMP commissioner) says we could have done better, from my perspective, that relates to the fact we had to revise our policy and training.”

A spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office said the government is troubled by the e-mail.

“We’re disappointed,” said Sara MacIntyre. “The apology was obviously very important to his family and his mother. And we find the e-mail troubling.”

Asked if Harper would be taking any direct steps with the RCMP to follow up on the e-mail, MacIntyre said: “We’ll be looking at that.”

The day after the e-mail was written, Bass appeared at a news conference to announce the RCMP had reached a settlement with Dziekanski’s mother, Zofia Cisowski.

“Your son’s death is a tragedy and for the role the force played in this tragedy, we offer our sincere apology,” Bass read from his prepared statement.

RCMP spokesman Insp. Tim Shields said Wednesday that Bass’s apology was genuine.

Cisowski also said Wednesday she believes Bass was sincere.

“I think he was truly apologizing,” said Cisowski, reached by telephone at her home in Kamloops, B.C. “For all of the RCMP, I don’t know, but I think Gary Bass was truly apologizing.”

Cisowski and Bass issued a joint news release Wednesday night, in which they said both parties agreed to the wording of the apology.

The Braidwood inquiry’s final report on the death of Dziekanski will be released Friday morning.

Dziekanski, who spoke no English, was unable to find his mother after arriving at the airport. He remained in a secure area for about 10 hours and began throwing furniture, prompting a 911 call.

Seconds after four RCMP officers arrived on the scene, Dziekanski was jolted five times with a Taser. He died minutes after he was restrained and cuffed face-down on the floor.