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
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
Grayson Murray's parents say the two-time PGA Tour winner died of suicide
Grayson Murray's parents said Sunday their 30-year-old son took his own life, just one day after he withdrew from a PGA Tour event.
The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
2 died in plane crash near Squamish, B.C., police confirm
Two people died after a plane went down in a remote area near Squamish, B.C. on Friday, authorities have confirmed.
Kingston, Ont. tenants fed up with lack of action from landlord over broken floor tiles
Joel Felder and Misti Pitcher have been living in their apartment in Kingston, Ont. for over two years, but the past 12 months have been miserable.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
Are you a loud snorer? You could have sleep apnea
You'll have a lot more energy throughout the day if you get a good night's sleep, but not everyone does due to a medical condition.
At least 15 dead after severe weather carves path of ruin across multiple U.S. states in the South
Powerful storms killed at least 15 people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
North Korea informs Japan of a plan to launch military spy satellite
North Korea has told Japan it plans to launch a satellite by early next week, an apparent effort to put its second military spy satellite into orbit.