KYLE Friesen, current Legal Advisor to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia, will be joining the Surrey Police Service (SPS) on April 1 in the role of in-house legal counsel.

As a member of the executive leadership team, Friesen, will take an active role in ensuring SPS meets both its legal obligations and the high standards of conduct, practices and ethics it has set for itself, according to an SPS press statement.

Friesen is a well-respected member of Canadian law enforcement community, having dedicated the past 22 years of his career to the administration of federal and provincial laws and municipal bylaws. 

“The public’s wellbeing, safety and rights will inform all decisions made by Surrey Police Service,” said SPS Chief Constable Norm Lipinski. “Kyle will ensure our legal obligations also inform our operational and administrative approaches. The two go hand-in-hand.” 

Before joining the RCMP, Friesen held positions in the Information and Privacy Branch within the Provincial Government of B.C., the Department of the Solicitor General of Canada and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. His other areas of expertise include public complaints, Code of Conduct, employment and labour relations.

“The past 22 years have given me a deep and wide range of experience in policing and public safety,” said Friesen. “To serve the residents of Surrey, where I have lived for almost 20 years, through what I know will be a modern, nimble and capable police service, is an honour.” 

Friesen will be the sole in-house legal advisor for Surrey Police Service and therefore provide legal advice to all ranks with innovative solutions and resolutions, the SPS said.

Friesen is a past recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) “for significant contributions and achievements by Canadians,” the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers (2015) – awarded by the Governor General of Canada, and numerous RCMP commendations. 

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