City of Surrey launches court proceeding to halt police transition
The City of Surrey has announced it is filing a petition with the Supreme Court of British Columbia for a judicial review of the Province of British Columbia’s order of July 19, 2023 to continue with the transition to the Surrey Police Service.
Surrey, B.C. – The City of Surrey has announced it is filing a petition with the Supreme Court of British Columbia for a judicial review of the Province of British Columbia’s order of July 19, 2023 to continue with the transition to the Surrey Police Service.
The City of Surrey is opposed to the proposed transition that would result in a significant additional tax burden at a time when Surrey residents are facing existing affordability challenges.
“My team and I were elected to stop the proposed police transition,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “Surrey simply cannot accept the extraordinary burden that our taxpayers will face as a result of a provincial order that will not deliver any public safety benefit.”
Peter German, respected lawyer and expert on policing and public safety, has been retained to advise and support the City on this matter.
“I believe Council put forward a sensible plan to keep the RCMP, which is in the best interest of taxpayers and public safety,” said Peter German. “The warnings about higher costs and inability to recruit frontline officers for the Surrey Police Service have all come true, and the City has an obligation to act in the public interest.”
In addition to the court proceeding, the City has sent a letter to the Province outlining its ongoing concerns.
Please see below for a copy of the letter and petition.