Surrey, BC — November 29, 2024: At midnight, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) officially assumed responsibility for policing and law enforcement as the City of Surrey’s police of jurisdiction, marking a historic transition from the RCMP after over seven decades of service.
Chief Constable Norm Lipinski described the occasion as a pivotal moment for the city, stating, “November 29, 2024, marks the beginning of a new era of policing in Surrey, as Surrey Police Service officially becomes the City’s new police service. It’s an exciting time and a historic moment, both in policing and in the development of Surrey, as residents will have their own municipal police service for the first time since 1951.”
Initially, SPS officers will focus their presence in Whalley/City Centre and Newton, while RCMP officers will be more prominent in Guildford/Fleetwood, Cloverdale, and South Surrey. Both agencies will collaborate on various duties, with SPS taking charge of traffic enforcement, emergency planning, and community programs, while the RCMP will manage specialized services in Newton and city-wide investigations, including the Criminal Crash Investigation Team.
During the transition ceremony, Mayor Brenda Locke pledged her full support to the SPS and commended the RCMP for its longstanding service to the community. “We must be united in our efforts, and we wish you well, and will have your back every step of the way,”Locke told the officers.
The SPS’s assumption of command represents a significant milestone in Surrey’s journey toward establishing its independent municipal police force. The collaborative efforts between SPS and RCMP during this transition period aim to ensure seamless law enforcement coverage across the city.