Surrey Police Service chief 'excited' to move transition forward
For Surrey's police chief, it's a good day.
“We’re excited about the announcement from the minister,” said Chief Norm Lipinski.
“I’m looking forward to hiring. I’m looking forward to having the HR plan and the change-of-command date. That will give us a target to hire towards and I’m looking forward to being in charge in Surrey.”
His comments come after Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said this week that he will soon announce a date for the change of command in Surrey as it transitions away from the RCMP to the Surrey Police Service.
The SPS now has 365 officers, 210 of them deployed. Lipinski said he expects to hire 80 more officers before the end of the year.
The new hires will come despite the majority of Surrey city council rejecting the B.C. government’s offer of $250 million to help ease the transition away from the RCMP to the SPS, even after agreeing in principle to the funding.
Farnworth said $150 million will now go directly to Surrey Police, but the other money is off the table.
“I have no indication as to why the city council … changed their mind. I think those are questions that the people of Surrey no doubt want answers to,” Farnworth said.
Surrey councillor Doug Elford does not support Mayor Brenda Locke’s decision to reject the financial offer.
“To throw that kind of money away in these times, in these challenging times for people, is not responsible,” Elford said. “To me, it seems to be a political exercise to extend the confrontation until the provincial election."
Elford said he’s asked city staff to provide financial details on what the delays have cost Surrey taxpayers.
CTV News wanted to speak with Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, but were told for a second day that she was not available. However, it appears the mayor has raised concerns about how RCMP members will fit into the new service.
“Police officers will do the job that’s required of them. In terms of details, in terms of how that will work, as I said we have an agreement in principle with Public Safety Canada,” Farnworth said.
The ongoing policing drama in Surrey has led to uncertainty and challenges.
“It’s not optimum policing to have two police agencies in one jurisdiction,” said Lipinski. “It does not compromise public safety, but we have two organizations, they have two different brands, they have two different philosophies."
Meanwhile, some residents say they support Locke and believe the province is out of line.
“I want the government to stay out of it,” said one Surrey resident. “When it comes to municipalities, (the province) should just mind their own business."
Another resident told CTV News: “I support the NDP government, but I don’t support what they’re trying to push. Surrey should be able to make their own decision.”
In a statement Tuesday, Locke said the province has yet to provide a clear plan and financial commitment for the transition.
Correction
A previous version of this story said the province will now give $150,000 for the policing transition, when it fact it will contribute $150 million. An additional $100 million, however, is now off the table.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.