Surrey Police Union asks Councillor Stutt to recuse himself from a biased vote in favour of RCMP

SURREY – The Surrey Police Union has submitted a formal request to the City of Surrey Ethics Commissioner to disqualify Councillor Rob Stutt from voting in the upcoming decision on policing in Surrey.
Rob Stutt is also the Chairman of the Public Safety Committee and a former RCMP member. Stutt is under investigation because he failed to demonstrate transparency and an obvious conflict, as the RCMP employs his son and daughter in Surrey.
The ethics commissioner’s office is finalizing a decision, but it may be too late once the verdict is complete, feels Surrey Police Union.
The original request to the ethics commissioner was submitted in February, and another vote on policing may come as early as next week.
“We believe Stutt is purposely delaying his participation in the investigation. This investigation has been dragged out for months. The Surrey Police Union has been cooperative and responsive; Stutt is still silent.
“We’re demanding Councillor Stutt voluntarily recuse himself from any upcoming votes about policing in Surrey,” said Surrey Police Union President, Rick Stewart.
“Stutt ran on a promise of ethics and integrity at city hall during the municipal election. Now is the time to show that leadership.” Stewart continued.
Look no further than a similar case in Hamilton, Ontario. A city councillor was docked pay due to a conflict of interest as her son is a staff sergeant with the Hamilton Police Service. The councillor wrongfully voted for the police budget despite knowing her vote should have been disqualified.
Closer to home, a Vancouver city councillor opts out of voting on policing matters because her husband is a member of the Vancouver Police Department. Stutt only came under investigation after the Surrey Police Union revealed his bias to the public. Since then, his and the Mayor’s office have been strategic in keeping silent with no comment to the public. “We can’t trust Councillor Stutt and Mayor Locke not to manipulate the facts for their benefit. Surrey residents deserve a fair and transparent decision now,” Stewart added.