SURREY, B.C. The City of Surrey has released its draft five-year budget, allocating more than half of the property tax increases for 2023 to cover the costs associated with the police transition.
The City of Surrey has released its draft five-year budget, allocating more than half of the property tax increases for 2023 to cover the costs associated with the police transition.
Diverse, qualified candidates wanted for new Surrey Police Service, chief says
Advocates have been critical of the incoming municipal force that will replace the local RCMP, saying it does not reflect the city s diverse makeup.
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Posted: Jun 05, 2021 8:00 AM PT | Last Updated: June 5
Surrey police Chief Norm Lipinski speaks at a news conference announcing his selection on Friday Nov. 20, 2020. He says the force should be up and running by fall 2021.(City of Surrey)
RCMP car in Surrey, B.C. (Abby Luciano)
Surrey city councillors Jack Hundial and Brenda Locke sent a letter on Feb. 15 to over 1,000 elected officials in B.C., saying there is a need to have a feasibility study done on the transition of the Surrey Police from the RCMP to a municipal force.
Hundial and Locke say the study would make sure the transition doesn’t negatively impact Surrey or disrupt public safety in the province.
“Public safety without a feasibility study to me is completely irresponsible,” says Locke. “This is not the time to do it during a pandemic. This is going to really hurt and impact Surrey’s budget and its ability to develop and create infrastructure that’s needed in the city.”