Surrey Police Service

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This article is about the police force in Surrey, British Columbia. For the police forces in Surrey, England, see Surrey Police. For federal and provincial forces headquartered in Surrey, see RCMP "E" Division.

Surrey Police Service
Common nameSurrey Police
AbbreviationSPS
MottoSafer. Stronger. Together.
Agency overview
Annual budget$184.1m[1]
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionSurrey, British Columbia, Canada
Size316.41 square kilometres (122.17 sq mi)
Population517,887
Governing body
Constituting instrument
General nature
  • Local civilian police
Operational structure
Headquarters14355 57 Avenue
Sworn Officers[2]
Civilians[2]
Elected officers responsible
Agency executives
  • , Chief Constable
  • , Executive Director of the Surrey Police Board
Website
www.surreypolice.ca

The Surrey Police Service (SPS) is a municipal police force currently proposed for the City of Surrey in British Columbia, Canada. It will be one of several police departments within the Metro Vancouver Area once the operations are handed over from Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to SPS in 2022.[3]

As of 2021, Surrey is Canada's largest city by far without its own municipal or provincial police forces.[4] Surrey RCMP is the largest RCMP contract police detachment in Canada.[4]

History[]

Surrey once had its own municipal Surrey Police Department until May 1, 1951, when policing duties were handed over to Surrey RCMP under RCMP Police Service Agreements, also known as "contract policing" service.[5][6]

On November 5, 2018, the Surrey City Council approved a motion to replace Surrey RCMP with a new municipal police force and started the termination process for its Police Service Agreement with the RCMP.[7]

On February 27, 2020, Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, has approved the creation of the Surrey Police Board, which is responsible for transitioning and creating the Surrey Police Service.[8] Surrey Police Board appointed Norm Lipinski as the first chief constable for the Surrey Police Service in November 2020.[9]

Although the RCMP policing contract is set to expire on March 31, 2021, Surrey RCMP is expected to continue operating in Surrey until the Surrey Police Service's transition reaches significant milestones in 2022.[3] Surrey RCMP civilian support staff would continue working for the SPS as the Surrey RCMP Union signed a transfer agreement.[10]

Organization[]

Budget[]

The operational budget of $184 million has been planned for the fiscal year 2021, while another $63.7 million has been budgeted over five years from 2020 to 2024 to complete the Surrey Police Service transition from RCMP.[1]

Policing Districts[]

There will be five SPS policing districts aligned with the city of Surrey neighbourhood boundaries and a District Inspector manages each district.[2] Metro Team will be a flexible unit responsible for the citywide patrol and allows shifting of resources between districts as needed.

Divisions[]

SPS will have three divisions each managed by a Deputy Chief Constable:[2]

Operations Division

  • Patrol Section
  • Patrol Support Section
  • Diversity and Community Support Section
  • Detention Services Section
  • Operations Communications Centre

Investigation Division

  • Major Crime Section
  • Organized Crime Section
  • Special Investigations Section
  • Property Crime Section
  • Analysis and Investigations Support Section

Support Services Division

  • Human Resources Section
  • Professional Standards Section
  • Recruiting and Training Section
  • Information Management Section
  • Financial Services Section
  • Planning and Research Section

List of chief constable[]

  • Norm Lipinski (2020–present)

Controversies[]

Opposition to Municipal Policing[]

There is opposition for municipal policing voiced by community members and , the bargaining agent representing 20,000 RCMP officers across Canada. National Police Federation criticizes the termination of the RCMP contract and transition to the municipal Surrey Police Service, citing concerns related to uncertain risks and costs associated with the transition as well as low approval ratings from its residents.[11][12]

National Police Federation is considering legal action against Mayor McCallum after McCallum allegedly claimed that NPF uses unethical publicity stunts and racist elements to politicize the transition.[13][14]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "2021 Five-Year (2021-2025) Financial Plan – General Operating" (PDF). City of Surrey. November 16, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d City of Vancouver; City of Surrey; Vancouver Police Department; Curt T. Griffiths (May 2019). "Surrey Policing Transition Plan" (PDF).
  3. ^ a b Bolan, Kim (February 25, 2021). "Surrey Police Chief Norm Lipinski working to finalize details of takeover from RCMP". Vancouver Sun.
  4. ^ a b Bula, Frances (August 23, 2019). "Surrey's move from RCMP to municipal local force unprecedented". The Globe and Mail.
  5. ^ "History". Surrey RCMP.
  6. ^ "Contract Policing". Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
  7. ^ "Regular Council Minutes" (PDF). City of Surrey. November 5, 2018.
  8. ^ "Minister approves establishment of a Surrey police board". BC Gov News. February 27, 2020.
  9. ^ Wells, Nick (November 20, 2020). "Norm Lipinski announced as chief of new Surrey municipal police force". Global News.
  10. ^ Zytaruk, Tom (March 8, 2021). "Surrey Police Service, CUPE sign staff transfer agreement from RCMP to new force". Surrey Now-Leader.
  11. ^ "Issues". Surrey's Say on Policing. National Police Foundation.
  12. ^ "National Police Federation submission focuses on escalating costs for delayed Surrey police transition". NPF-FPN. November 30, 2020.
  13. ^ Watson, Bridgette (September 16, 2020). "Surrey residents who want to keep RCMP in city are blocked from voicing concerns to police board". CBC News.
  14. ^ "Surrey Mayor slams National Police Federation and 'Keep the RCMP in Surrey' for dirty tactics". Indo-Canadian Voice. Retrieved March 9, 2021.

External links[]

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