Surrey, B.C. has made it clear that they want to continue their partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), despite the province issuing a deadline for municipalities to decide on their police force.
The city of Surrey has been considering a transition from the RCMP to a municipal police force for the past two years. However, after careful consideration and consultation with the community, Mayor Doug McCallum and the city council have decided to stick with the RCMP.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Mayor McCallum stated that the city has “full confidence” in the RCMP and their ability to keep Surrey safe. He also mentioned that the city has a strong working relationship with the RCMP and that they have been responsive to the needs of the community.
The decision to stay with the RCMP comes after the province announced a deadline of March 31 for municipalities to decide on their police force. This deadline was set as part of the province’s plan to establish a new police oversight body, the Community Safety Unit.
While some municipalities have already made the switch to a municipal police force, others, like Surrey, have been hesitant to do so. The cost of transitioning to a new police force and the potential disruption to the community have been major factors in this decision.
The city of Surrey has also expressed concerns about the lack of consultation and transparency from the province regarding the new police oversight body. Mayor McCallum has called for more dialogue and collaboration between the province and municipalities to ensure that the needs of the community are met.
In response to Surrey’s decision, the province has stated that they will continue to work with the city and respect their choice to remain with the RCMP.
As the deadline approaches, it remains to be seen how many other municipalities will follow in Surrey’s footsteps and choose to stay with the RCMP. However, one thing is clear: the city of Surrey is committed to maintaining a strong and effective partnership with the RCMP to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.
