Officer fired, not charged for pepper-spraying passenger

CHERRY HILL — A transit police officer suspended after he pepper-sprayed and used his baton to hit a train passenger earlier this year has been fired.

The Philadelphia Inquirer says the Delaware River Port Authority announced its decision Friday. That came after the Camden County Prosecutor's Office declined to file charges against Michael Fiocca.

Fiocca said in his report that he believed 48-year-old Ryan Patterson was trying to stay on the train longer than his ticket allowed and approached him May 3 at the Woodcrest PATCO station in Cherry Hill.

Police documents say Fiocca asked for Patterson's ticket and a struggle ensued after Patterson responded angrily. Fiocca sprayed him in the face and Patterson fell onto the tracks, causing minor injuries.

A telephone number for Fiocca could not be located Sunday.

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