The TTC has suspended a fare inspector involved in a physical altercation with a Black teenager on a streetcar last weekend.In a letter to TTC Ombudsman Susan Opler, TTC acting CEO Richard Leary said the inspector was suspended “with pay pending the outcome of this investigation.”The investigation will probe allegations that the inspector “failed to treat customers equally without discrimination,” assaulted a customer, acted uncivilly, discredited the reputation of the TTC, and used unauthorized force on a customer.On Sunday, the teen was leaving a streetcar near St. Clair Ave. W. and Bathurst St., when he was grabbed by a fare-inspection officer.Witnesses said the teen was not asked for proof of payment before being grabbed, and was removed from the streetcar and pinned to the ground by two fare inspectors. Three police officers joined in, handcuffing him. Witnesses said he was pinned down for about 20 minutes.“I didn’t do anything,” said the teenager in a video that caught some of the incident. “You’re hurting me!”Witnesses said the teen had blood on his face, and was visibly shaken by the incident.A video shows more than 15 police officers arrived at the scene.The teen was later released.No criminal charges were laid.The Star reached out to the teen, who was not immediately available for comment.Leary’s letter said that the TTC is trying to complete its investigation as soon as possible, and that transit staff have asked Toronto police to “investigate the matter to determine if criminal charges are warranted.”Paul Manherz, the TTC’s Unit Complaints Coordinator, will conduct the investigation “in consultation with TTC’s Diversity and Human Rights Department.”The TTC declined to provide further comment.“(The) Professional Standards (unit) is working cooperatively with the TTC to review any potential infractions committed by the police officers or the Spec ...
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