Public safety minister has ‘grave concerns’ as Surrey police decision stalls

Make a decision and get it done — that’s the latest from the province regarding policing in Surrey.

B.C.’s public safety minister has written a strongly-worded letter to Surrey City Council, pushing for a final decision on policing in the city and expressing “grave concern” that not all on council are considering all the information available.

Solicitor General Mike Farnworth’s letter comes as about half of council has yet to sign confidentiality agreements that would allow them to see the province’s full report recommending Surrey move ahead with the transition to the Surrey Police Service (SPS).

That report came out in April, heavily redacted, with the expectation Mayor Brenda Locke and councillors would sign non-disclosure agreements (NDA) before being allowed to see sensitive police operational and government financial information.

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Related Articles:

• Surrey councillor urges colleagues to move ahead with police transition

• Surrey mayor says she hasn’t seen B.C.’s unredacted policing report

• Surrey Police Service issues open letter, describes ‘pressure’ on officers, wants end date

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In his letter, which CityNews has seen, Farnworth says it was “expected that a confidentiality agreement had been agreed to and that it would be signed by City representatives without undue delay,” adding that it wasn’t anticipated that city staff would have additional amendments to the NDA before signing with the city, considering that the Ministry and city officials had already negotiated the terms of the agreement before it was finalized.

“The Mayor claims in her letter to the Premier that it is highly unusual for a local government to sign a confidentiality agreement. In fact, confidentiality agreements are a commonly used tool by the provincial government to support the sharing of confidential and sensitive information with a variety of parties, including local government – especially when other entities own that information,” the letter read.

Dated June 1, Farnworth says he is “gravely concerned” council may proceed with a final decision on whether to proceed with the SPS transition or keep the RCMP without considering all the relevant information available.

“Given the City’s responsibilities under the Police Act, it is critical that all of the Council understands the full factual context of this decision, as well as its implications, to ensure adequate and effective policing in Surrey.”

“To that end, the Province is of the view that each member of Council should review and consider the information in the confidential Director’s Report,” Farnworth wrote.

He goes on to write that the province is “formally confirming” that the province is prepared to provide $150 million to the city to continue the transition to the SPS.

“The Province has concluded that public safety is best supported with the transition to the Surrey Police Service as the municipal police service and, according, this funding is only available to the City if it continues with this transition.”

Councillor ‘deeply disappointed’ in decision delay

Coun. Linda Annis, a political opponent of Locke who has signed the non-disclosure agreement, says it is obvious Minister Farnworth is frustrated with the delay and she believes the residents of Surrey are, as well.

“I certainly can’t talk to what was in the report that hasn’t already been publicly released, but I can tell you there is some very valuable information,” Annis told CityNews. “This is a huge decision if not the biggest decision we will ever make as city councillors, and I think we need due diligence and to make sure we read it so we can make an informed decision.”

Annis feels it is critical the mayor and every member of city council sign the NDA and read the full report.

“This is about taxpayers’ money and the future of public safety in Surrey,” she said. “I’m deeply disappointed we haven’t made a decision yet. The mayor has said several times that each month of delay in making a decision costs the taxpayers $8 million. We have access to the information we need, we need to read it and make a decision promptly.”

Mayor Locke has not directly stated whether or not she has signed the confidentiality agreement but has publicly said she is opposed to the idea of NDAs in principle.

In the letter, Farnworth also outlines his concern about the delays and lack of timelines, asking Surrey council to set a date for when all the NDAs will be signed and when a decision on policing can be expected.

“I rejected the City’s plan to retain the RCMP and strongly recommended that the City continue its police model transition to the Surrey Police Service to ensure that adequate and effective policing is maintained both in Surrey and throughout the Province.

“At this time, it is the view of the Province that Council should move forward with a vote that fully acknowledges the implications – financial and otherwise – of the decision to retain the RCMP or to move forward with the transition to the Surrey Police Service.

“The conditions place on the City, RCMP, and the Surrey Police Service through my authority in the Police Act to maintain adequate and effective policing are mandatory and non-negotiable.”

“I know we share the same goal of ending the long period of uncertainty for the people of Surrey and ensuring the safety and security of Surrey, and the well-being of those police officers that serve your community,” Farnworth concluded.

–With files from Robyn Crawford