455-page Surrey police transition report made public

Surrey’s proposed municipal police force would employ 1,150 staff, including 805 officers, at a cost of $192.5 million in 2021 — about $18.9 million more than the RCMP, according to a transition report chaired by former attorney general Wally Oppal.

The report also outlines a $45.2 million one-time setup cost, while noting a 16% increase in front-line patrol officers.

Mayor Doug McCallum says the plan will give Surrey more local control, but critics such as Coun. Brenda Locke warn it will place a heavy burden on taxpayers.

Residents remain divided. Some, like Kamaljit Dhillon, fear higher property taxes, while others welcome the promise of more officers on the streets.

The provincial government must still review the recommendations before Surrey can finalize the transition.

Full text of this report prepared by Provincial Municipality Policing Transition Study Committee can be accessed here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/policing-in-bc/publications-statistics-legislation/publications/gov-reports