Surrey Police Board hosting first public meeting Thursday

SURREY (NEWS 1130) — Surrey’s new police department will have its first public board meeting virtually Thursday.

Surrey Councillor Brenda Locke says she predicts “there’ll be a lot of eyes” on the board. She says expectations are high as the meeting will be underway despite pushback from some residents and council members.

“There’s no question that overwhelmingly the city of Surrey does not want this. This is Mayor [Doug] McCallum’s wish and dream,” she says.

Those opposing the police transition have recently said that the shift is not a priority, as the city grapples with the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The police board will become very well aware of the anger and the animosity towards this action,” Locke says.

Related stories: 

• Province gives Surrey police transition final approval

• Replacing RCMP not a priority for Surrey residents during pandemic: poll

• Surrey in rare position to redefine policing amid calls for defunding

She tells NEWS 1130 she hopes the police board will take a closer look at the decision to scrap the RCMP for a municipal force, and address issues like the rising financial cost associated with the transition.

“Hope is, they’re going to actually ask to do a proper feasibility study of this whole process because certainly, the transparency has not existed.”

The meeting is happening after the B.C. government gave the municipal force the green light. Locke says she hopes the province will be watching.

“Certainly, I think the provincial government should be paying attention to this because this city is very upset with the provincial government around the police transition and how they feel they’ve let us down.”

The nine-member board includes Mayor Doug McCallum, and will be responsible for hiring a chief constable as well as approving the force’s budget.

“Surrey’s citizens, business owners and visitors deserve the robust, local civilian oversight of the new Surrey Police Service,” McCallum said in a release. “The SPS [Surrey Police Service] will be built as an innovative, modern and proactive service tailored to the needs and concerns of Surrey residents. I am thrilled we are at this pivotal moment in our city’s history.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the police board meeting will live-streamed at 10 a.m. for public viewing.