Ontario Special Constable Association

News

Statement from President Sarah Kennedy regarding the TTC streetcar arrest video involving two TTC Special Constables

Statement from President Sarah Kennedy regarding the TTC streetcar arrest video involving two TTC Special Constables

February 9, 2020


TTC Special Constables Are Owed an Apology:


On Friday February 7, 2020 a 12-second video was posted to Twitter by a TTC rider showing a small part of a four-minute interaction between a subject under arrest and Special Constables.



It has been learned that the Special Constables had boarded a TTC Streetcar while Fare Inspectors were conducting a fare check.  Two passengers complained to the Special Constables about a person causing a disturbance. Upon engaging with this person, the subject threatened the officers and proceeded to shove and punch them. The subject violently resisted the subsequent arrest, demonstrating assaultive behaviour and officers can be seen in the video deploying "pepper-spray" foam and attempting to gain control by restraining the subject against the streetcar seat. According to the Ontario use of force continuum, an accepted use-of force model for all Peace Officers in Ontario, this use of force was warranted based on the subject's behaviour.



The Toronto Police continued the arrest of the Special Constables and charged the subject with criminal charges including: Assault Police x2, Utter threats x2, and a Trespass to Property Act charge for Failing to Leave when Directed. 



The ensuing public outrage was largely fueled by the remarks of several City Councillors, including Kristyn Wong-Tam, Brad Bradford, Josh Matlow, and Mike Layton. Publicly elected officials are trusted by communities to speak the truth and are presumed to be sharing valid and accurate information. This was not the case on February 7th. 



Councillor Wong-Tam stated in a Twitter post: "The actual offence, if any, doesn't even matter anymore. This is not how the TTC should be treating riders. There needs to be a full investigation into this use of force, which is never acceptable." 



Councillor Matlow tweeted: "The footage I've seen of TTC special constables attacking someone who didn't pay their fare is shocking, violent and unacceptable. The TTC must immediately improve training, offer apologies, seek accountability & engage the police to investigate the special constables' actions."



Councillor Bradford tweeted: "This is unequivocally the wrong way to handle fare evasion. Another example of why we need to improve the training and recruitment process for fare inspectors. Officers need to de-escalate these situations, not resort to force." 



Councillor Layton tweeted: "This is unacceptable. This incident of violence involving city employees needs a full investigation, AND  we need to immediately rethink the way our system treats riders." 



So much harm was caused by these statements, it is difficult to know where to begin.



Councillor Wong-Tam questioned whether an offence even occurred, suggesting the Special Constables were just assaulting the subject involved. Clearly, the Toronto Police have supported that, in fact, offences were committed. The Councillor then suggests that the offences do not matter and that use of force is never acceptable. Assault doesn’t matter? Councillor Wong-Tam spoke in contradiction of the Criminal Code of Canada and incited the public to believe that TTC riders should be allowed to assault Peace Officers without any consequences. Her tweet fractured the public's trust in TTC Special Constables to deliver law enforcement and safety services to their ridership. 



The Councillors communicated decidedly and confidently that there was wrongdoing on the part of the Special Constables, which was incorrect. They publicly accused the Special Constables of attacking the subject, essentially engaging in criminal behaviour, and that they are poorly trained. Their comments fueled a public and viral narrative that the subject was “beaten up” over an unpaid fare. These conclusions were drawn from a 12-second video before TTC had an opportunity to comment and provide context to the event. 



The Councillors tweets also added to the public’s misunderstanding of whether the arrest was made by Special Constables or Fare  Inspectors, which contributed to the incorrect assumption that the officers were not acting lawfully. 



The comments made by Toronto City Councillors were uninformed, unfair, and irresponsible, but also dangerous. These comments led the public to condone the behaviour of the subject and therefore condone the assault of TTC Special Constables while in the lawful execution of their duties. 



The Councillors’ remarks and the public’s response online and in the media cast a spotlight on a massive blind spot within the City of  Toronto and the Province of Ontario in regard to the understanding of what a Special Constable ‘is’ and what their mandates are. 



Special Constables are sworn Peace Officers with powers of police conferred upon them to execute their duties within their jurisdictions. Special Constables play an important role in public safety by enhancing the service delivery of the Police to niche communities,  such as transit, housing and post-secondary institutions. Special Constables are also utilized by Police Services to perform duties required to be fulfilled by a Peace Officer, but do not fall within the essential functions only Police can perform. These duties can include offender transports, court security and crime scene management. 



While in performance of their duties, Special Constables may investigate, arrest, and when the behaviour of the subject dictates, use force with the full authority of a Police Officer. This is not a new policy; it has been the case for decades. 



Special Constables perform a variety of safety functions as well, helping vulnerable community members navigate these complex systems.



The Ontario Special Constable Association has asked the Provincial Government to standardize the regulation of Special Constables in  Ontario. Standardizing the appearance of uniforms, training and authorities will help the public, and apparently City Councillors, understand who Special Constables are and the important work they do. 



The Ontario Special Constable Association calls on Mayor John Tory and the City of Toronto Councillors to issue a retraction of their statements and a public apology to the officers involved in Friday morning's arrest, as well as to all the Special Constables working hard to keep the TTC community safe. 


Respectfully,


Sarah Kennedy

President

Ontario Special Constable Association

36 Comments
Mike c
Posted on  10/02/2020 12:55 The best way to hold these councillors to account would be to sue them for their remarks..
Don C
Posted on  11/02/2020 07:01 I would call John Tory to the next crisis see how rubber spine handles it!
Carlos A
Posted on  11/02/2020 08:46 Great statement It the sad reality when our councillors spend to much time in social media They do what ever it takes to get brouny points with the public even when the source of nformation was manipulated by the person who posted it
K Sebree
Posted on  11/02/2020 09:02 I agree. As usual the councillors have no idea as to the Special Constables' actual job descriptions. They comment on what they "think" happened. All need a reality check. There are bad people out there. I for one feel safe if special constables board the TTC vehicle I am on. The councillors need to apologize.
Jim
Posted on  11/02/2020 09:27 Walk a mile in our shoes Politician!
T Hunter
Posted on  11/02/2020 09:40 Well said. These councillors would have been equally critical had the uniform officers been Toronto Police or any other police officer because that is how these particular councillors think.
John
Posted on  11/02/2020 09:40 These Special Constables have been slandered publicly by these ignorant councilors - sue, sue sue !
A.P
Posted on  11/02/2020 13:25 Way to stand behind your officers President Kennedy. I am glad they have you backing them. I also think the councillors involved should be called on to step down as they have clearly displayed a lack of caring for justice and THE TRUTH. They should no longer be allowed to hold any position of political power.
Danny S
Posted on  11/02/2020 15:12 Wouldn’t do any good to call the city officials uninformed asswipes.....just curious where was mayor photo op?
BLT
Posted on  11/02/2020 16:09 I think the best way is to occupy the councillors offices. Obstruct them from doing anything constructive, if they do. And demand they use “reason” in the face of intolerance and belligerent actions. All to easy to criticize action of duly sworn individuals that wear a uniform. They need to remember it is a uniform not a target.
Steve
Posted on  11/02/2020 17:56 Yup agreed, sue those slanderous councilors
peter
Posted on  11/02/2020 17:59 i agree make them pay for their act of being stupid they should have heard every thing first then talk about it but no they just jump right in with out looking. mayor you need to make sure they all say sorry to them for there hate full words as well for your self .
Jk
Posted on  11/02/2020 18:44 Unfortunately, People on Social Media only show half the truth ... what if it was them who was being harrassed by this man ... would they actually show it all for sure ... People need to understand the whole story before they post anything on Social Media ... by not getting the whole truth they destroy individuals reputation and report faults truth ... get the facts first ... even our Council need to look further into before making comments on Social Media
JJ
Posted on  11/02/2020 19:38 Elected officials should know better. How about refraining comment until the investigation is complete. Instead they are reactionary. THEY ARE THE ONES IN NEED OF TRAINING!!!
James Mount Dennis
Posted on  12/02/2020 04:38 We should let these over opinionated councilors ride onthe transit system in TTC uniforms so they can se just how much crap we have to put up from our loving public
Jill Spencer
Posted on  12/02/2020 06:42 The Special Constables that patrol the TTC work VERY hard to ensure that the majority of the riders on our public transit system arrive at their destination safely and in a timely fashion. It is a TRAVESTY that the Toronto City Council is permitted to make these ILL INFORMED and INFLAMMATORY statements about a group of people that risk injury EVERY DAY simply by doing their job.
A. W.
Posted on  12/02/2020 08:11 Remember these incompetent, fear mongering, socialist councillors in the next election. Have the final say!
Craig M.
Posted on  12/02/2020 10:11 Well said!! Good luck getting an apology or retraction from these socialists. 52 Plainclothes sues Kyle Rae for his prejudicial comments on their downtown raids. Perhaps it is time to hold these Councillors to the height they expect other City employees to be held!! Again, good luck!!
Roy K
Posted on  12/02/2020 10:52 The sad part to me is that nothing happens out of the blue so I'm sure this is not the first time that these particular councillors have rushed to hasty conclusions. Makes me wonder how my important decisions they have made over their careers, on behalf of their electorate, without knowing all the facts involved. It's scary in a society were facts don't really seem to matter as much as knee jerk emotional responses, especially by our elected officials.
Glenn Emond
Posted on  12/02/2020 18:02 Enough is enough. As a retired police officer who served the City of Toronto for 34 years, I don't want to hear a bullshit apology from these fools. I want to see the Union back these officers and launch a civil suit against the Mayor and these Councillors.who literally accused these officers of false arrest and assault.
Greg Beckett (retired 30 yr operator)
Posted on  12/02/2020 19:05 Start to print names /employment /picture of all these people who hold up or stop the system from getting law abiding paying patrons to there destination and stop all comments until it has been fully investigated and let the Special Constables do there jobs that more often than not are the target by the public cameras
Paul Nadeau
Posted on  12/02/2020 19:56 I’m stunned at the stupidity of those who watch a short video and think they know the whole story. And to think these Gumby’s are on Cory council. God save us all. NEVER comment without having all the facts.
Perry Iannuzzi
Posted on  12/02/2020 20:44 These week kneed politicians just jump on the political correctness band wagon and spew they’re uneducated and non factual comments about something they were not privy to or even there to see the situation. They should just sit in their little offices and pass laws on planting flowers and putting in bike lanes and shut the “F” up.
J.Z.
Posted on  12/02/2020 21:09 I would like to see the Ontario Police Association administration Man Up and support these Special Constables and their Association President. She deserves credit for standing up to the libra-tards on city council.
Garry
Posted on  12/02/2020 21:19 These politicians should be made to step down. Supporting the offender will cause pure mayhem going forward. It wasn't about an unpaid fare. Customers were complaining about somebody causing a nuisance. What about the customers rights to travel in peace?
Rick
Posted on  12/02/2020 21:24 I hope they sue them and don’t settle out of court. Watch them and ever mistake they make put on social media. Video them ever chance you get and place on social media.
R
Posted on  12/02/2020 21:59 Sarah. Its great to see a real leader support their people. Don't count on the management at TPS to be publicly supportive. They are city hall puppets.
Tank
Posted on  13/02/2020 03:04 Very well said. Thank you for your support.
Dan
Posted on  13/02/2020 07:24 Very sad. The video is showing a violent arrest without knowing what happened before with that patron. There is always two side of event and I wished people, anyone could wait before commenting on the facts but you cannot change stupid people. Comments like this is absolutely unwarranted. Now they made their beds and sleep in it uneducated politicians.
Glenn S
Posted on  13/02/2020 07:32 I hope this matter is being pursued further by the OSCA, and that the politicians will be held accountable for their actions.
Mark
Posted on  13/02/2020 09:16 Sue these goof politicians for defamation!
Isobel
Posted on  15/02/2020 18:50 I've seen Special Constables at work on several occasions and their performance and manners have been impeccable. Of course they were not under attack but if attacks happen, they have a right and a responsibility to take whatever action is needed to remedy the situation. Those councillors should think and learn the facts before they start blabbing.
Les
Posted on  16/02/2020 12:42 These councilors are wasting our hard earned money benefiting themselves. They speak without facts, we need to hold these useless space wasting, money spending twists accountable like they think we need to be accountable. Get rid of lying cheaters like these councilors and J Tory
LM DiMarco
Posted on  16/02/2020 21:38 Perhaps Mr. Tam should offer his service and become a special constable and then these situations would be done properly according to him. Without any Special Constables or the Toronto Police help. Good Luck with that MR. TAM and your counterparts who jump to conclusions. I am disgusted that anyone would condemn these hard working officers on a 12 second video before all the facts were investigated. And these are the people running the city!
S. Besco
Posted on  17/02/2020 08:23 Unbelievable that 4 councillors think using social media to gather leftist socialist votes on the backs of law abiding special constables. I urge Sarah Kennedy push for accountability through civil court. Shame on City Councillors Kristyn Wong-Tam, Brad Bradford, Josh Matlow, and Mike Layton.
SeanC
Posted on  04/03/2020 15:13 The Mayor and councillors should become the subject of a law suit.
Add Comment

Important Information

No part of this website may be reproduced without the

written consent of the Ontario Special Constable Association.

Ontario Special Constable Association

OSCA are working hard at all levels to represent the interests of Ontario Special Constables.

Connect with OSCA on social media

Important Information

Ontario Special Constable Association

Connect with OSCA on social media

Your cart is empty Continue
Shopping Cart
Subtotal:
Discount 
Discount 
View Details
- +
Sold Out