Canada's ambassador meets with Polish officials about Taser incident

The Canadianambassador to Polandmet with Polish officials Monday about last month's death of Robert Dziekanski at a Vancouver airport, but said there waslittle he couldtell themwhile investigations continue into the incident.

The ambassador, David Preston, was called in by Polish authorities to explain what happened to Dziekanski —who diedon Oct. 14 after officers stunned him with a Taser —and what Canada plans to do about the death.

But Prestontold CBC News that he explained to Polish authorities about the Canadian processand that there was very little he could sayto them about the incident.

"We had a very useful discussion about the process and the investigation," Preston said. "They didn't express anger. They expressed understanding of the difficulty. They said it was very separatefrom the bilateral relationship."

"I assured them that the investigations would be thorough and fair and thatI had no further comment, as none of us can,pending the results of the investigation."

Prestonsaid they accepted his explanation but want to be kept informed about why the incident occurred.

The case garnered international media attention after a witness's video showing the confrontation with police was released to the public last week.

Poland's foreign ministry has called for the four RCMP officers involved in the incident to be named and prosecuted for their "excessively brutal and unjustified" actions.

Dziekanski was stunned by the officers after he allegedly began yelling, throwing objects and banging on windows in Vancouver International Airport's arrivals section. He died minutes after officers stunned him at least twice.

The Polish immigrant had been waiting in the airport for about 10 hours. Unable to speak English, he apparently became confused and agitated.

Over the weekend, RCMP Commissioner William Elliott announced that the four Mounties involved in the fatal takedown have been reassigned to other duties. The RCMP will also review its policies on the use of Tasers, he said.

Four probes are underway into the death, including by the B.C. coroner, the RCMP, the public complaints commissioner for the RCMP and the Vancouver Airport Authority. A public inquest is also expected to begin next year.

Dziekanski's death reignited debate over when police use of stun guns is justified. Tasers are described by many police forces as a non-lethal option that helps save lives.