Additional information required as B.C. government mulls Surrey police transition

VICTORIA — British Columbia’s public safety minister says his government needs to know more before it decides on the “unprecedented” request to reverse a change from municipal policing in Surrey in a decision that affects the whole province.

A statement from Mike Farnworth says staff have reviewed submissions from those involved in the transition, and the director of police services has determined additional information is required.

Farnworth says the policing transition in Surrey is complex, requiring a full and in-depth analysis before a decision is made, as stability in policing is fundamental to ensuring public safety. 

The transition was thrown into disarray by the election of Mayor Brenda Locke last fall, who campaigned on maintaining the RCMP after her predecessor, Doug McCallum, initiated plans to scrap the Mounties in favour of a municipal force.