Will they or won't they? Policing in Surrey a political football
The ongoing battle over the Surrey police transition could become more complicated – and may have other cities thinking twice before considering a similar move – after a mayoral candidate pledged to wind back the clock if she’s elected.
On Friday, Brenda Locke told reporters that “it’s not too late” to keep the RCMP and disband the Surrey Police Service, which has been working alongside Mounties as it hires officers and support staff over a years-long transition period.
“We believe this transition must stop and it must stop as soon as we are elected,” said Locke. “It's going to cost $521 million on top of what we already are paying for police services and it will take four more years.”
The SPS disputes Locke's claim. It directed CTV News to its website, where $63.7 million is cited as the one-time transition cost over a five-year period.
“We remain supportive of the democratic process, apolitical in our response to provide public safety and to continue the transition as endorsed by the three levels of government,” wrote an SPS spokesperson.
WILL THE PROVINCE PLAY A ROLE?
The number of officers, their roles in their community, and exactly how police should approach calls involving mental health issues have been under scrutiny in most B.C. municipalities, and determining resources and responsibilities can happen much faster than changing a badge.
Most communities in British Columbia use the RCMP by default and require provincial approval on the rare occasion they’ve decided to form, finance and oversee a municipal service.
CTV News asked the provincial solicitor general’s office if he would quash the transition if a new mayor and council requested he do so, or if he would maintain the current course. The former would likely come with significant potential for confusion, increased taxpayer costs and operational challenges.
"Government refrains from commenting on the debates that are taking place during municipal elections, including speculation on the potential actions of future councils,” wrote a spokesperson in response.
SPS NOT WITHOUT CONTROVERSY
The SPS has rankled other municipal police forces and unions in the Lower Mainland, who have seen it as poaching officers. There also haven’t been as many Mounties switching uniforms as the mayor had expected.
The transition was behind schedule when the incoming SPS chief and Surrey RCMP commanding officer held a joint news conference to discuss their officers working side by side last November.
“We’re here to stay,” declared SPS Chief Const. Norm Lipinski, at the time.
According to the SPS website, the force is now the second-largest municipal force in the province, after the Vancouver Police Department, with 274 sworn police officers hired and 53 civilian employees.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.