Translators Not Tasers

Murder is a harsh word, but that's exactly what this video shows. An RCMP officer asks, before they've even arrived and assessed the situation if he can taser the polish tourist and is told that he can. The man does not appear in any way to be threatening or hostile toward the RCMP officers, he is in fact moving away from them (and unarmed) when he is assaulted. I didn't really want to use the M. word, but after watching the video several times there simply isn't another word that fits. Had this been a Canadian national arriving in Poland (or Mexico, or the US) Canada would be in an uproar and no one would be using any word other than murder.

The RCMP is not wholly responsible - someone at the foreign arrivals area of the Vancouver airport should have been able to find a translator - either the airport or Canada Customs should have been able to resolve the situation before it got to this point. Certainly Vancouver airport officials and Canada customs are guilty of negligence at the very least. But that does not excuse the RCMP. Because of this incident tasers should immediately be banned nationwide, for all officers (and civilians) in all situations. Amnesty International has has already called for such a ban worldwide.

Short of an outright ban, with 17 deaths attributed to them so far in Canada, they can no longer be considered "non-lethal" - a taser attack should bear the same scrutiny as shooting a 'suspect'. In any case reviews should be undertaken to insure that adequate translators are available at any crossing point into Canada.

Short of a taser ban and improved translation services it would probably be best for foreign nationals (at least any who don't speak English) to stear clear of Vancouver for the foreseeable future. Including, sadly, 2010.