Surrey Police Service recruitment a public safety issue, says Councillor

Surrey’s incoming police force has been told to cut its expectations in half when it comes to hiring new officers, for fear it could strain resources in neighbouring communities.

The service put forward a plan to hire 400 officers in 2022, but was told instead that number had to be closer to 200.

Surrey Police Service media liaison Ian MacDonald says their initial ask for 400 officers was optimistic, and they are not necessarily surprised it was lowered.

“We are good with that, we take no issue with it,” he said.

The decision was made, in part, due to concerns Surrey police could take too many officers away from other jurisdictions.

Coun. Linda Annis says this so-called poaching is a concern because she thinks any impact on policing has an impact on residents.

Related Articles:

• Surrey police referendum petition fails

• Surrey RCMP’s top cop calls out mayor’s slate in latest police transition flare up

• Surrey Police officers assist with Abbotsford flood response amid transition

“Taking officers and leaving other municipalities short of police officers is not a good thing. It just says to criminals that we are open for business not only in Surrey but in the Lower Mainland,” Annis said Friday.

“Gang members and criminals know no boundaries if they feel that other neighbouring municipalities are vulnerable because there aren’t enough officers, they will go there and that’s not good for public safety.”

MacDonald takes issue with any claims Surrey is poaching, because he says all departments are actively recruiting new members all the time.

“All police agencies are trying to attract the best candidates. Currently, the Surrey Police Service has staff that come from 18 different agencies, and so we are certainly not targeting a single agency,” he said.

He says the reason why some officers from cities like Vancouver are choosing to join the service is because of several incentives.

“I think that our salaries are competitive, I think our benefits are really good,” MacDonald said.

Last week our 1st group of new recruits were invited to run the POPAT, which is a simulation of a critical incident where an officer chases, controls & apprehends a suspect. There were 3 sessions & we're pleasantly surprised that every single person that ran the POPAT passed! pic.twitter.com/pEAq9ChAlZ

— Surrey Police Service (@surreyps) November 24, 2021

He says many officers say they want to be a part of the change and the city is an attractive place to move to.

He says any suggestion this will impact public safety is not accurate.

“Police at the end of the day are going to work with each other, and the Surrey Police Service is going to be no different,” he said.

“We are trying to work with all our law enforcement partners. We are trying to create opportunities for potential staff who want to join the Surrey Police Service, and we do not want to create any instability in other departments.”

Today is the last day for you to sign the petition for a Surrey referendum to democratically decide which police force we want – RCMP or a Surrey police force? Exercise your democratic right to have your voice heard. Look for volunteers at stores & gathering spots.

— Linda Annis (@LindaAnnisBC) November 13, 2021

Annis, and others who don’t support the transition to the new force, say the province needs to step in and listen to residents.

A petition to hold a referendum on the new police force gathered thousands of signatures in mid-November, but did not meet requirements in order to trigger a vote.