TTC special constables to wear bodycams starting on Monday

The TTC’s special constables will be wearing body-worn cameras starting on Monday, followed by the fare inspectors by the end of February, the service told CTV News. 

This move comes after a successful, nine-month pilot project, which began last May and saw 20 special constables and 20 fare inspectors wear the devices.

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Fourteen special constable vehicles were also outfitted with in-car cameras during that time.

Last month, the TTC announced that its officers would be patrolling the system in plain clothes, while carrying identification and wearing body cameras to record customer interactions and issue tickets to illegal riders. The TTC previously reported an estimated loss of close to $140 million, annually to fare evasion.

Earlier in December, interim TTC CEO Greg Percy said in a news release, "While the TTC receives considerable operating funds from the City, we rely heavily on the fare box to support our operations. When people don't pay, that impacts our ability to increase service and keep fare prices low."

However, the cameras are “not intended” for 24-hour use, the TTC said.

The purpose of the TTC’s new permanent bodycams program is also to "ensure the accountability of the TTC and Officers through internal and public oversight systems, provide improved evidence for investigations, oversight, and other legal purposes" and "strengthen the TTC’s commitment to anti-racist and bias-free service delivery," the policy says.

The agency’s board approved the new policies after multiple recommendations were made by the city’s ombudsman, related to an incident where a Black teenager was tackled and pinned by TTC fare inspectors in February of 2018.

Stuart Green, senior communications specialist for the TTC, told CP24 in December that they "revamped the whole system to make sure that it is fair and equitable to everybody."

In September of last year, TTC implemented another fare evasion initiative -- the elimination of "no-tap" fare gates at entrances typically next to collector booths at subway stations.