The widow of a nurse gunned down in his own driveway in a case of mistaken identity says she's been asking what's going to happen to her case during the transition to a Surrey municipal force -- but is getting nowhere.
Darlene Bennett says her questions to Surrey City Hall haven't been answered, which is sapping the hope that keeps her going after her husband Paul's death.
"It's been a year of trying to pick up the pieces, and find our new normal, and that's hard," she told CTV News in an interview. "I have to have hope and faith at the end of this I'm going to get answers and there's going to be justice."
Right now, the RCMP is investigating the death of Paul Bennett through the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.
Paul was a 47-year-old nurse, hockey coach, and father of two. He died last June, after being fatally wounded outside his Surrey home. Police have declared him an innocent victim.
Surveillance video captured at the scene showed a silver vehicle pulling in front of the home, and someone gets outside to fire at least eight shots.
And when she asks, even the officers investigating the case aren't sure if they'll be on the case in a year, when Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum has said the city will transition to a Surrey Police Force.
"I'm not getting any answers and I'm in the middle of an active investigation for the murder of my husband and I want to know what's going to happen because he deserves justice. I don't want anything bad to happen in this case in the transition period," Darlene said.
McCallum campaigned on a plan to replace the RCMP with a municipal force. He has claimed it would cost the city about 10 per cent more, though critics have argued it will cost much more.
A transition plan was approved by Surrey City Council in a closed meeting, and city councilors have said they can't talk about it as a result.
In consultations, the city is using a city vehicle mocked up to look like a police car, as well as videos and pamphlets using photos of American police officers altered to appear as if they are from Surrey but has not released any specific figures.
None of the staff at a consultation at the Fleetwood Community Centre could answer the question about what would happen to ongoing murder cases.
McCallum's staff said he is en route to a mayors' meeting in Quebec City. Last week McCallum said he would release the report if the province allowed him.
But other cities that have pondered switching from the RCMP haven't been so secretive.
For example, in Richmond in 2015, council made public an estimate that would have seen costs increase around 10 per cent a year, with a $19 million one-time transition cost.
Surrey City Councillor Linda Annis said it's backwards to consult with Surrey citizens after a transition report has already gone to the province.
"It has been done in complete secrecy. It's been done behind closed doors. Every Surrey resident should be deeply concerned about this," she said.
B.C. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said Wednesday the province is looking at redacting some sections but wants to release it as soon as possible.
"That work is underway right now, a thorough analysis," Farnworth said in Victoria.
Simon Fraser University Criminologist Rob Gordon said it's likely that Surrey would sign on to the existing arrangement and send officers to participate in the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, just as New Westminster Police Department does.
That would, he said, mean an RCMP unit would still be investigating high-profile murders even after a municipal transition.
There were 15 murders in Surrey in 2018, according to Surrey RCMP statistics. There were 11,000 crimes reported to Surrey RCMP in the first quarter of 2019.
The process has left Bennett disillusioned, she said in a letter to news editors.
"I have been waiting patiently for the information on the Mayor's police transition plan to come forward, but to no avail. I have reached an impasse. Paul's voice needs to be heard. The safety of the citizens of Surrey is in peril," she said.
"I am angry, disappointed, and alarmed with the Mayor of Surrey, Doug McCallum," she CONTINUED. "His lack of transparency regarding the transition to a Surrey Police Force from the RCMP is disheartening. This is a monumental change in how the City of Surrey will operate. The taxpayers of Surrey deserve information and answers. Knowledge gives you the power to make informed decisions.
"I cannot fathom the reason for this 'closed door' policy on this matter. It's not good leadership, and it makes me question his motive."
