Surrey Police Service chief on transition delays, body-worn cameras, 'cordial' relationship with mayor
If all goes according to plan, by 2026, the only police officers on the streets of B.C.’s fastest-growing city will be members of the Surrey Police Service.
That’s according to Chief Const. Norm Lipinski, who heads up the SPS.
He said next year, he hopes to add 180 new SPS officers. Each new hire would be replacing a current Surrey RCMP member.
“We are not adding to the budget,” he said of the planned hires.
“Very simply speaking, one in, one out. There has to be those vacancies,” Lipinski explained in an interview with CTV News.
“It comes down to how many people do we think we can hire, and how many people do we think we can train?”
But before any hiring takes place, the police budget for 2024 has to be approved by the city.
The transition from the RCMP to the SPS remains opposed by Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, who recently announced a second court challenge on the matter.
“There certainly is that chance that the city would deny the budget, but there’s mechanisms in place through the Police Act where the province can step in as well,” Lipinski said when asked if he had concerns the budget may not get passed.
Despite the ongoing policing saga in Surrey, Lipinski described his relationship with the mayor as “cordial.”
“Certainly there is a difference in opinion. I respect her opinion. Obviously I don’t agree with it. I think we have to move forward. But I like to keep the politics out of it,” he said.
Lipinski is about to begin his fourth year at the helm of the SPS.
“The first three years have been a whirlwind,” he said, adding that part of his focus is building trust in the community.
“For the month of November, there have been 95 engagements,” he said.
“What does that mean? It means our people going out to community groups, businesses, faith groups, and explaining what we are all about,” Lipinski explained, adding that it’s time to put an end to the transition delays.
“I think it’s fair to say that the community’s had enough of this. Everybody wants it over. And we’d like to have it over as well,” he said.
Meanwhile, the police chief said looking ahead, he wants to see officers wearing body cameras. He said it’s something the community strongly supported in a survey.
He also wants drones used in Surrey policing.
“Drones do a lot to find young people who have wandered off, or senior citizens who have wandered off. We have a lot of green spaces here,” he said.
The SPS currently has about 400 employees.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
LIVE NOW Parks Canada to provide Jasper National Park wildfire update at noon
Officials are waiting to learn Thursday morning the extent of wildfire damage in the Jasper townsite of Jasper National Park, which flames began to eat away at the night before.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
WATCH LIVE Alberta premier fights back tears, promises help as Jasper devastated by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith fought back tears Thursday as she sought to console Jasper residents coming to terms with a community devastated by wildfire.
NASA says no return date yet for astronauts and Boeing capsule at space station
Already more than a month late getting back, two NASA astronauts will remain at the International Space Station until engineers finish working on problems plaguing their Boeing capsule, officials said Thursday.
'Skibidi Toilet:' If you don’t know what it is, you will
'Skibidi Toilet' is already an internet sensation and now its about to get even more exposure.
French sprinter will wear a cap during Olympic opening ceremony after hijab dispute is resolved
French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla will be allowed to participate in the opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics wearing a cap to cover her hair, an agreement reached with the French Olympic Committee after Sylla said she was barred because of her hijab.
Spicy dispute over the origins of Flamin' Hot Cheetos winds up in court
A former PepsiCo executive is suing the company, saying it destroyed his career after questioning his claim that he invented the popular flavor of Cheetos snacks.