The province's public inquiry into the death of Robert Dziekanski will examine how police use Tasers in the course of their duties, the government announced Monday.
The family of Dziekanski, who died last year after being shocked with the energy weapon in Vancouver International Airport, will also be provided with a complete record of the circumstances of the death.
Solicitor-General John Les announced that the government would launch a public inquiry in November 2007, but this is the first time the government committed to the terms of reference of that inquiry.
It made sense to do the inquiry in two parts, said Attorney-General Wally Oppal in a release. The first part, a Taser study, will be completed by June 30, he said.
That study will review "rules, policies and procedures applicable to constables, sheriffs and authorized persons...in respect to their use of conducted energy weapons and training," according to the public inquiry.
It will also make recommendations on taser use and training.
But because there are already several investigations into the death of Dziekanski, including a coroner's inquest and a criminal probe, it's not clear when the second part will begin, he said.
Thomas Braidwood will lead both study commissions of inquiry. A study commission does not have the full powers of a commission of inquiry, which can compel witnesses to attend and make findings of misconduct.
The inquiry's oral sessions will be open to the public and its final reports will be tabled before B.C.'s Legislative Assembly.
