After years of heated debate and controversy, Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum has announced that he is surrendering in the long-standing battle over the city’s policing.
In a statement released on Monday, McCallum stated that he will no longer push for the city to have its own police force, and instead will work towards keeping the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) as Surrey’s main law enforcement agency.
This decision comes after months of back-and-forth between the mayor and the provincial government, who have been at odds over the issue of policing in Surrey. McCallum had been pushing for the city to have its own police force, arguing that it would be more efficient and cost-effective than the current RCMP model.
However, the provincial government had repeatedly rejected this proposal, citing concerns over the potential cost and disruption to the existing RCMP contract.
In his statement, McCallum acknowledged that the decision to keep the RCMP as Surrey’s police force was not an easy one, but ultimately it was the best option for the city.
“I have always been committed to doing what is best for the people of Surrey, and after careful consideration and consultation with various stakeholders, I have come to the conclusion that maintaining the RCMP as our police force is the most practical and responsible choice,” McCallum said.
The mayor also expressed his gratitude to the RCMP for their service to the city and assured residents that the city will continue to work closely with the police force to address any concerns and improve public safety.
This announcement has been met with mixed reactions from the community. While some residents are relieved that the issue has finally been resolved, others are disappointed that the city will not have its own police force.
The Surrey RCMP also released a statement, stating that they are committed to working with the city to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.
With this decision, the long and contentious battle over policing in Surrey has finally come to an end. It remains to be seen how this will impact the city’s future, but for now, the RCMP will continue to serve as Surrey’s main law enforcement agency.
