CORONER FINDINGS WELCOMED

It took a coroner's jury just hours to reach its conclusions about the
in-custody death of Robert Knipstrom.

But it took two years for Chilliwack residents to find out exactly
what happened on that day, Nov. 19, 2007, and what could have been
done differently.

The jury, which wrapped up a four-day hearing in Burnaby last week,
concluded Knipstrom's death was accidental - that a condition called
'excited delirium', coupled with high levels of the drug ecstasy, led
to heart failure.

It also concluded that the use of a Taser by police was not a factor
in Knipstrom's death.

The incident, coming as it did in the midst of the controversy
surrounding the death of Robert Dziekanski , cast an unfortunate cloud
over local police enforcement. It reinforced speculation that Tasers
used to stun aggressive suspects were being used indiscriminately by
police, and that the Knipstrom case was another example.

Last week's finding indicated nothing of the kind.

It was, of course, an encounter that ended tragically. But anyone
viewing the 15-minut video recorded by police, or listening to their
testimony in Burnaby, would conclude police acted professionally and
compassionately.

Granted, the jury did offer several recommendations.

It called for "regular re-orientation" for police and other first
responders who come into contact with individuals suffering from
Excited Delirium; that paramedics with advanced life support training
attend incidents where Excited Delirium is suspected; and, it called
on the BC Ambulance Service "review or create a standard operating
procedure with respect to Excited Delirium."

No doubt, those who work in the field will welcome those
recommendations.

All too often police and emergency professionals are being called upon
to deal with individuals made unpredictable by their altered mental
state.

Balancing their own personal safety with the well being of the
individual they've been tasked to assist or apprehend, is something
they must do with the limited tools at their disposal.

Last week's recommendations offer something positive out of a sad
situation.

Unfortunately, it took two years for those findings to come forth.