Surrey Police Service pleads case to province amid transition controversy

As Surrey’s policing controversy continues, the municipal force is fighting back against the new mayor’s push to stick with the RCMP as the police of jurisdiction.

The Surrey Police Service has submitted two reports to the province which it says “detail the ability of [the] SPS to police Surrey safely and effectively, and to achieve the requirements to become the police of jurisdiction for Surrey in 2023.”

The first report was submitted by the SPS and the Surrey Police Board, the force says, adding that the document “details why it is in the best interest of Surrey residents and of policing in British Columbia to continue with the transition to a locally accountable municipal police service.”

The first report is available publicly and outlines the overall benefit of SPS to policing across BC. The 2nd report will not be made public as it contains detailed operation and personnel information. You can read the release and first report here: https://t.co/pirGmMJ9pp (2/ 2)

— Surrey Police Service (@surreyps) December 22, 2022

It cites its recruitment and retention record, as well as the challenges that would come with terminating employment for the 375 employees and dissolving two unions as some of the reasons in its argument.

The SPS also notes that the police transition has been happening for the past four years — the last two of which saw officers’ boots hit the ground. It says that stopping the transition would come at a great financial and time cost.

“Very few SPS officers would join the RCMP,” the SPS continues, pointing to a pledge it claims was signed by 94 per cent of its members who said, “that if the Surrey Police Service (SPS) ceases to exist, I have no intention to apply to nor join any RCMP detachment as my next career move.”

The second report, the SPS says, was submitted by the force “at the request of the Director of Police Services.”

“It provides a comprehensive update on the status of SPS’s work relating to the provincial requirements that must be achieved in order for SPS to assume police of jurisdiction in Surrey. This 155-page report contains detailed operational and personnel information and therefore cannot be released publicly at this time, without consultation with the Province,” the municipal force explains.

“As the provincial government looks to modernize policing in this province, SPS’s governance, community policing model, and modern police culture are all in alignment with the recommendations made by the all-party Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act,” said Chief Const. Norm Lipinski.

“We’re not just replacing one police agency with another. We are building an innovative, forward-looking police service that is victim-focused, trauma-informed, accountable, transparent in our policies and complaint processes, and compassionate and caring for our employees and those in the community,” Lipinski added.

“A provincial decision to continue with this policing transition will provide the certainty required for our modernized, community-based policing model to move forward for Surrey residents.”

Related Articles:

• Surrey mayor plans for RCMP changes ahead of province’s decision

• Surrey council votes to send RCMP cost report to province

• Surrey city councillors, SPS raise concerns over city policing report

Previously, a statement from Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said he and the province’s director of police services would review the city’s plan, spearheaded by Mayor Brenda Locke, to ensure it meets the requirements of the Police Act and continues to provide safe and effective policing for the community.

Locke has been adamant to stop the transition from the RCMP to a municipal force since she was elected mayor in October.

Despite a final say from the province on the matter, Locke has come up with plans for the RCMP, including the creation of a police board that will be made up of citizens.

The police transition began as an election promise from now-former Mayor Doug McCallum.