A woman whose son died at Vancouver International Airport wants a moratorium on the use of stun guns by police, her lawyer said yesterday.
The first of a two-part public inquiry into the use of conducted energy weapons and the death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski begins today in Vancouver.
“Right now, it just needs to be shut down,” said Walter Kosteckyj, lawyer for Dziekanski’s mother Zofia Cisowski.
“There should be a complete moratorium on its use until complete medical tests are done and until the police are properly regulated.”
Dziekanski died Oct. 14 after he was Tasered by RCMP at Vancouver’s airport. The 40-year-old had spent 10 hours, confused and hungry, in the international arrivals section.
A video of the Tasering garnered attention around the world.
The first part of the commission of inquiry, headed by retired B.C. Court of Appeal judge Thomas Braidwood, will report on the use of conducted energy weapons and is scheduled to run until May 23.
The second part of the inquiry, which has not yet been scheduled, will look into the circumstances of Dziekanski’s death.
Cisowski, reached yesterday at her home in Kamloops, said she hopes to speak at the inquiry next Thursday.
“I was so frustrated and scared to say something. I was angry and sick. … This time I will speak,” she said.
Kosteckyj, however, said his client would join him when he makes his submissions to the inquiry, but would not speak.
Cisowski has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and has an intense sense of guilt over her son’s death, he said.
