The Polish Embassy in Vancouver has expressed disappointment that criminal charges have not been brought against four Canadian police officers involved in the death of a Polish citizen in 2007.


A statement was released over the weekend by the embassy following a recommendation by Canadian prosecutor Richard Peck that the officers should be charged with perjury regarding the initial evidence they gave in the wake of the death.


Whilst acknowledging that it is correct that the officers could have to answer charges of perjury, the embassy stressed that it “does not diminish the fact that we find it disappointing that there are no recommendations for criminal charges in the incident.”


Robert Dziekanski, a construction worker, flew to Canada on 13 October 2007. He was 40 years old, and due to start a new life in the country as his mother was a Canadian resident.


However, speaking only Polish, Dziekanski struggled to process his immigration forms on arrival, and by the time that he had cleared customs he was in a highly agitated state.


Following an incident in which the Pole damaged property, Dziekanski was tasered by four police officers. He did not recover from the shocks.


Footage recorded on a private telephone sparked public outrage, with claims that the officers had been excessive in their use of the tasers.


A full inquiry finally got underway in 2009, and in April the following year, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police made a public apology to Dzienkanski's mother, accompanied by a settlement of an undisclosed sum. (nh)