Surrey mayor vents frustration over police transition, tells SPS head to call her for major crimes

The Surrey Police Board – which was re-established on Jan. 31 of this year – says it’s working on a plan to re-engage with city council to foster a “collaborative” relationship.

But it faces a steep uphill climb, as Mayor Brenda Locke campaigned in the last election on keeping the RCMP as the Surrey police force, and is clearly unhappy with how things are going with the transition to the Surrey Police Service.

A couple of letters by Locke reveal the mayor’s frustrations.

Locke wrote to Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Garry Begg chastising the province for its handling of extending the RCMP for a third year, while the city transitions to the Surrey Police Service.

Locke didn’t hold back.

“It has come to my attention that Provincial staff have requested Canada to extend the duration of the RCMP’s presence in Surrey for a third year, for the purpose of providing temporary transitional assistance,” Locke wrote. “We are concerned that the Province has taken this step without first consulting with the City, thereby denying us the opportunity to provide input. This decision to act unilaterally and apparent willingness to exclude the City from involvement is troubling, given the Province’s stated expectation that the City is responsible for, and so must pay for, the financial consequences of Provincial decisions.

“On this issue, the City has expressed its position consistently over many months, and the evident need to revisit this territory is disappointing. In any event, and specifically regarding the RCMP’s potential presence in Surrey for an additional year, we request that the Province does not enter into any agreement without involving the City first. At minimum, the City should be consulted on the terms of any such agreement, including the number of RCMP police officers to be stationed in Surrey.”

The transition was supposed to be completed in 2026, but will continuing on until 2027. The SPS recently announced, however, that it was taking over a new part of the city’s policing from the RCMP. The SPS aims to take over South Surrey’s west side on July 28, and then South Surrey’s east side on Nov. 25.

The SPS has been patrolling Whalley and Newton, and the RCMP will continuing working the areas of Cloverdale, Fleetwood and Guildford until the transition is completed. But the SPS is still trying to recruit enough officers to full staff the entire city.

Surrey city Coun. Linda Annis, however, says the city bears some blame for the delays that have taken place, including a legal challenge.

“There’s been delay after delay on the city’s part around the police transition,” Annis said.

Locke has also written to SPS Chief Const. Norm Lipinski with stern demands on how the chief will communicate with her.

“As Mayor, Chief Executive Officer and spokesperson for the City, I must ensure that Council and the community receive timely, accurate information on all important municipal issues, including public safety matters,” Locke wrote. “To that end, I would appreciate your support in strengthening the flow of communication between us. First, I would like to establish a standing face-to-face meeting between us twice each month. … Second, I ask that you provide me a comprehensive monthly crime-statistics report for discussion at our first meeting of each month. A consistent, data-driven overview will enable me to speak confidently to our residents about trends, challenges, and the progress your team is making. Finally, and most critically, I expect immediate notification, by telephone, whenever a significant policing incident occurs. Whether a major crime, a high-profile investigation, or an event that may draw media attention, early notice ensures that I, on behalf of the City, can respond swiftly with clear, unified messaging.”