Stun-gun inquiry costs at $3.7 million

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- An investigation into the stun-gun death of a Polish immigrant at Vancouver International Airport has cost taxpayers $3.7 million, officials said.

A public panel, known as the Braidwood Commission, is investigating the use of stun guns in general and the specific use of a stun gun against Robert Dziekanski, The Vancouver Sun reported Monday.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police shocked Dziekanski five times with a stun gun at the airport in October 2007, the Sun reported.

Despite their costs, such inquiries usually result in enormous public awareness of complicated issues and guarantee the attention of key decision makers, said Herman Bakvis, a University of Victoria public administration professor.

"Really, the Canadian public as a whole is getting excellent value out of that particular inquiry," Bakvis said.

A second phase of the inquiry is set to begin in September. The four Mounties involved and Taser International have asked courts to restrict the commission's findings, the Sun reported.