Surrey-The years-long controversy over the transition to a civic police force in Surrey, BC, appears to be over. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has conceded in her efforts to retain the RCMP as the city’s primary law enforcement agency. During Monday night’s city council meeting, the mayor announced her acceptance of the judicial review decision, which upheld the province’s mandate to transition to the Surrey Police Service.
The B.C. government has reaffirmed its commitment to provide the $150 million promised to the City of Surrey to support the transition “directly until it is completed.” The Surrey Police Service will officially assume jurisdiction on November 29.