Surrey Policing Transition

Updates

The Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General announced on July 19, 2023 that he has directed the City of Surrey to continue the transition to an independent municipal police service and to continue the establishment of the Surrey Police Service (SPS) as the police of jurisdiction. The Minister also announced the appointment of Jessica McDonald as a Strategic Implementation Advisor for the transition. 

The Mayor issued a statement indicating that the City is reviewing this announcement and considering its options with respect to next steps on the transition. 

Actions to date

On September 11, 2023 Council received a corporate report with a policing transition update (R146; 2023) for information outlining the current status of the transition work following the decision by the Minister to require the City to continue the transition.  Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards, Officer in Charge of the Surrey RCMP, and Chief Constable Norm Lipinski of the Surrey Police Service attended the Council meeting to provide further information on the transition. Video of the Council meeting is available.

Council last met on this issue on June 15, 2023, and at that time reiterated its resolution to maintain the RCMP as the Police of Jurisdiction. The Policing Surrey Report provides an overview of the City’s plan to retain the RCMP.

On November 14, 2022, during the regular council meeting, Surrey Council approved a plan to retain Surrey RCMP as police of jurisdiction. Corporate Report R199: Police Transition Update.

The City and the RCMP have communicated their shared commitment to ensuring the steps and actions in the Policing Surrey plan are implemented in a timely manner following approval to ensure adequate and effective policing in Surrey in a way that provides continued public and officer safety and continues to adhere to the Municipal Police Unit Agreement. Review the full plan in Corporate Report No. R209.