November 29, 2024
Surrey, B.C. – The following is a statement from Brian Sauvé, President and CEO of the National Police Federation, regarding the change of command from the Surrey RCMP to the municipal Surrey Police Service (SPS) on November 29.
“As the Surrey Police Service (SPS) assumes the designation as Surrey’s police of jurisdiction, it’s important to reflect on the tremendous, and often thankless, work our Surrey RCMP Members have done to protect and serve the residents of Surrey for over seventy years.
Because of the Surrey Police Service’s slow ramp-up, over 500 of our Members continue to serve Surrey today. For over six years our Members have been caught in the crossfire of a highly politicized debate while their future careers and where they call home remain in question.
Despite this protracted and stressful uncertainty, unmet SPS plans and promises, and an unhealthy work environment, Surrey RCMP Members continue to show up to serve their community with unparalleled professionalism and pride.
Our Members want certainty and the ability to move on in their careers and this is taking far too long. To support this, we will be holding the Province and the Surrey Police Service accountable to meet their protracted two-to-three-year timeline on this transition. The NPF is now focused on ensuring remaining Members have the opportunity to transition to their next desired posting as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Today — while SPS may claim the title of police of jurisdiction — this transition is far from complete. We have serious concerns about the SPS’s current and future ability to fill critical positions and the very real risk that they may rely on the RCMP Members for many years to come.
Members’ commitment to the Surrey community has been nothing short of extraordinary, and we will ensure they receive the respect and clarity they deserve through this transition period.”
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.
Media contact:
Sarah Kavanagh
Communications and Media Relations Advisor
[email protected]
