April 23, 2024
Surrey B.C. – The following is a statement from Brian Sauvé, President and CEO of the National Police Federation, in response to the B.C. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General’s unveiling of a plan to address Surrey’s ongoing police transition.
“In the absence of a detailed plan, today’s announcement from the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth unveils the latest concept to address the ongoing and drawn-out policing transition in Surrey, B.C, for which the Province has set a ‘target date’ of November 29, 2024.
Their intention is now to collapse the Municipal Police Unit Agreement between the Province and the City of Surrey, eliminating the Surrey RCMP, and draw on resources through the B.C. Provincial RCMP service, provided through the Provincial Police Services Agreement, to “support” the SPS.
City of Surrey property owners should be concerned that resources from other communities across British Columbia will be used to supplement the Surrey Police Service at Surrey taxpayers’ expense.
There remains no clear plan and many unanswered questions about this transition. The NPF was not meaningfully consulted on today’s announcement, which we see as political theatre ahead of the City of Surrey’s constitutional challenge against the Province of B.C. scheduled to begin on Monday, April 29.
Our main priority continues to be public safety in the city of Surrey and the Province of British Columbia, as well as ensuring our Members can move on with their lives and careers as expeditiously as possible.
Although no formal agreements or consultations have been made, we hope to work with the Province to evolve this transition process to be more transparent and respectful to our Members and all who are involved.”
About the National Police Federation:
The National Police Federation (NPF) represents ~20,000 RCMP Members serving across Canada and internationally. We are the largest police union in Canada. The NPF is focused on improving public safety for all Canadians, including our Members by advocating for much-needed investment in the public safety continuum. This includes investments in police resourcing and modern equipment, as well as social programs including health, addiction, and housing supports to enhance safety and livability in the many communities we serve, large and small, across Canada.
For more information: https://npf-fpn.com/
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