TTC officers involved in violent altercation cleared by police

WATCH ABOVE: WATCH: TTC enforcement officer allegedly assaults man in Union Station (Posted: March 31, 2015)

TORONTO — Two transit enforcement officers captured on video earlier this year in a use-of-force incident have been cleared by police.

The Toronto Transit Commission asked police to investigate after the video was posted on social media purporting to show the two officers punching two men at Union Station following a Toronto Maple Leafs game at the Air Canada Centre.

TTC Spokesperson Brad Ross says, “the police determined that the use of force that was applied by the officers in the YouTube video was lawful and justified.”

READ MORE: Police to review TTC officers’ use-of-force against two men

“Concurrent to the police investigation, we undertook our own analysis of use of force – of how we report it and how the reports are reviewed.”

As a result, the TTC now has its own internal review board that includes three people, one of whom is independent of the TTC and an expert in use of force.

The three-minute video was edited down from a longer, six-minute version posted January 29th.

The two civilians in the video — Jamie Gillman, 33, and Russell Gillman, 63, both from Toronto — were charged by police with assaulting the special constables.

James Bingham, President of Local 5089 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 5089) responded to the conclusion of the police investigation, expressing relief that “the matter has been dealt with,” adding, “they were justified in their application of force.”

The transit enforcement officers have been assigned back to their respective platoons and will resume regular duties.