DEPUTY Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, Commanding Officer of the BC RCMP, said in a statement on Wednesday: “On behalf of the Surrey RCMP and BC RCMP I can confirm that we have received the Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth’s decision regarding the future of policing in the city of Surrey.

“We appreciate that Minister Farnworth has acknowledged the exceptional work being delivered by the RCMP in Surrey and throughout BC. The professionalism and dedication by employees at the Surrey RCMP must be commended.

“While the Minister has directed the City of Surrey to continue with the transition to the Surrey Police Service, the RCMP will be seeking clarity and specifics from the city, province and federal government, along with the newly appointed Strategic Implementation Advisor, on the path forward.

“Our focus since the very beginning of the transition has been to ensure that public safety is not compromised. That focus will not change. Moving forward the stability in the delivery of police services and the retention of our members will be at the forefront of all planning.

“This continues to be an unprecedented and complex process that will require time to ensure that the proper legal agreements and framework for a change of command plan, human resource strategy, and demobilization plan are completed. We are committed to being part of the planning and working with all stakeholders, including the City of Surrey, National Police Federation and Surrey Police Service moving forward.”