Surrey Police Board Clarifies Role of City Council in the Surrey Police Transition

The Surrey Police Board would like to address recent public statements related to pausing or stopping the police transition and the development of the Surrey Police Service.

The provincial government approved the Surrey Police Service (SPS) transition pla n in February 2020.

Subsequently the Province created the Surrey Police Board, who legally established the Service under the Police Act .

As such, the Surrey Police Service now exists under the authority of the provincial government, not local government.

The claim by some parties that a Mayor and Council could unilaterally pause or stop the development of SPS is misinformed.

Mayor and Council cannot make this decision without the approval of the Province.

Mayor and Council’s role with SPS includes funding the Service and identifying local priorities, goals and objectives whic h the Service will integrate into its strategic plan.

No city council or mayor has the ability to direct either the administration or operations of a police service.