The guy wasn't an immediate threat to anyone, he was contained and not going anywhere. The place where he was, was not crowded and he wasn't threatening other people... he wasn't even coming near the other people you could see in the video. I didn't see where he even caused any damage to any property. He was just angry and confused and, according to the video, not really non-compliant.
Even if he had been overtly non-compliant and posed a threat, (which I don't believe he did) 4 buff looking young cops should have been able to control him with manual restraint techniques. Instead, one of them went straight to the Tazer. They had all the time in the world to deal with this guy but chose to end it by using more force than was necessary.
Bad move, I think, because I'll wager Canadian LE probably uses the same or similar use of force continuum as US police departments. That use of force continuum teaches not only how to properly escalate an encounter but how to properly deescalate one. You can rightfully go one step above the force the bad guy is using, unless something instantly and drastically changes, then you can go straight to deadly force... as long as you can justify it afterwards.
Maybe I missed something but I never saw any of the officers attempt to deescalate the situation by trying to communicate with the man. All I saw was them surround him and moments later he was on the floor, writhing. Then, when there appeared to be a problem with the guys health, everyone just stood around. No one appeared to be attempting to give the guy any help.
Unfortunately, the man died. 4 young officers and likely some of the command staff will see their careers end (if not some jail time) and the RCMP as well as the airport and Canadian government will pay some hefty cash to the guys mother.
It all could have been avoided if, somewhere along the line, someone would have been willing to try to communicate with the guy... or find someone who could. Any dufus (even an FBI agent) should have recognized the guy didn't speak or understand English and could have started to try to figure out what language he did speak.
Sometimes, even if you can find someone who speaks another similar foreign language, but not the right one, it will help to calm the person and reassure them you're trying to help them. It buys time and helps to deescalate the situation.
Even if he had been overtly non-compliant and posed a threat, (which I don't believe he did) 4 buff looking young cops should have been able to control him with manual restraint techniques. Instead, one of them went straight to the Tazer. They had all the time in the world to deal with this guy but chose to end it by using more force than was necessary.
Bad move, I think, because I'll wager Canadian LE probably uses the same or similar use of force continuum as US police departments. That use of force continuum teaches not only how to properly escalate an encounter but how to properly deescalate one. You can rightfully go one step above the force the bad guy is using, unless something instantly and drastically changes, then you can go straight to deadly force... as long as you can justify it afterwards.
Maybe I missed something but I never saw any of the officers attempt to deescalate the situation by trying to communicate with the man. All I saw was them surround him and moments later he was on the floor, writhing. Then, when there appeared to be a problem with the guys health, everyone just stood around. No one appeared to be attempting to give the guy any help.
Unfortunately, the man died. 4 young officers and likely some of the command staff will see their careers end (if not some jail time) and the RCMP as well as the airport and Canadian government will pay some hefty cash to the guys mother.
It all could have been avoided if, somewhere along the line, someone would have been willing to try to communicate with the guy... or find someone who could. Any dufus (even an FBI agent) should have recognized the guy didn't speak or understand English and could have started to try to figure out what language he did speak.
Sometimes, even if you can find someone who speaks another similar foreign language, but not the right one, it will help to calm the person and reassure them you're trying to help them. It buys time and helps to deescalate the situation.