Doug McCallum led Safe Surrey Coalition while responding to the ongoing city and province battle over policing transition said Mayor Brenda Locke’s refusal to embrace the transition to the Surrey Police Service (SPS) raises questions about her commitment to public safety and the well-being of Surrey taxpayers.
On July 19th, 2023, Solicitor General Mike Farnworth warned of a potential “crisis in policing” if Surrey reverts to the RCMP. “The Surrey Police Service is the only path forward to ensuring the safety of the people of Surrey, as well as people across the province,” Farnworth has emphasized.
Despite this, Safe Surrey Coalition feels the Mayor remains steadfast in her support for the RCMP, despite mounting evidence of its failures.
“The recent Mass Casualty Commission report underscored significant shortcomings within the RCMP, citing a lack of preparation, communication, and leadership. These failures, epitomized by tragic events such as the Nova Scotia mass shooting and other such as sexual harassment and harassment, highlight the urgent need for organizational change to modern urban policing in Surrey.
McCallum expressed his disappointment, stating, “Mayor Locke’s decision to reject $250M in provincial funding for the transition to the Surrey Police Service is a grave disservice to Surrey residents. It’s time for a local police force that prioritizes public safety over political allegiances.”
Councillor Doug Elford echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the urgency of transitioning to the SPS. “Locke’s continued support for the RCMP, despite overwhelming evidence of its failures, is unacceptable. Surrey residents deserve better.”
Councillor Mandeep Nagra added, “It’s clear that Mayor Locke’s refusal to accept reality and embrace the Surrey Police Service is driven by political motives to serve her RCMP backers rather than the best interests of our community. We cannot afford to delay the transition any longer.”
