Surrey Police Union again accuses councillor of pro-RCMP bias ahead of vote

The Surrey Police Union is again targeting a Surrey councillor, accusing him of bias and conflict of interest for not publicly disclosing his links to the RCMP ahead of a critical vote on policing in the city.

The union filed a complaint with Surrey’s ethics office earlier this year and, in a release Tuesday, reiterated its demand coun. Rob Stutt recuse himself from the upcoming vote.

“Stutt is under investigation because he failed to demonstrate transparency and an obvious conflict, as the RCMP employs his son and daughter in Surrey,” reads the release.

“The ethics commissioner’s office is finalizing a decision, but it may be too late once the verdict is complete. The original request to the ethics commissioner was submitted in February, and another vote on policing may come as early as next week.”

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Stutt’s son is employed by the Surrey RCMP and his daughter has been seconded from the City of Surrey, assigned to the detachment.

The union also points out Stutt is a former Surrey RCMP member himself, all adding up to what it believes will be a biased vote in favour of the Mounties.

“We’re demanding coun. Stutt voluntarily recuse himself from any upcoming votes about policing in Surrey,” said Surrey Police Union President Rick Stewart.

“Stutt ran on a promise of ethics and integrity at city hall during the municipal election. Now is the time to show that leadership,” Stewart continued in the release.

For his part, Stutt has remained publicly silent on the issue.

The union claims the councillor is purposely delaying the ethics investigation.

CityNews has reached out to Stutt and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke for comment.

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While no date has been set, the upcoming city council vote on policing will be on whether or not to retain the Surrey RCMP and reverse the ongoing transition to the Surrey Police Service (SPS), as promised by Locke.

In December, council voted 6-3 in favour of a draft report on decommissioning the fledgling SPS and keeping the RCMP as the police of jurisdiction in Surrey.

The final vote will be on a comprehensive corporate report from city staff, with Locke saying the goal is a “final and informed decision” on policing in the city.

If coun. Stutt is taken out of the picture, the margin could be much tighter.