BOB (Robert) Rolls’ departure fron the Surrey Police Board is a result of his decision to move his family to Vancouver Island, Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum said in a statement.
He added: “With his move to the Island, he is unable to continue serving on the Surrey Police Board due to the requirement for Board members to either live or work in the City of Surrey.”
McCallum said: “I want to commend Bob for his tireless work to get the Surrey Police Service off the ground to where it is today. He has been instrumental in the building of Surrey’s first city police service and I wish him the very best as he embarks on his new endeavours.”
Rolls was the municipal council appointee to the board. The Board comprises the Chair, McCallum and eight others. Seven are appointed by the Province.
Rolls was a member of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) from 1977 to 2010, when he retired at the rank of Deputy Chief Constable. Since retiring from the VPD, Bob remained active on boards and in work related to policing, public safety and supporting his communities.
He conducted a number of sensitive investigations and policing reviews, including looking at police training across Canada, and the feasibility of transitioning from the RCMP to a municipal police.
During his career Rolls received numerous medals and awards, including being named a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police forces by the Governor General of Canada for exceptional performance over an extended period.
The lieutenant governor in council appointed seven community members to the board under the Police Act last June:
* Chief Harley Chappell, elected Chief of the Semiahmoo First Nation
* Cheney Cloke, director, Fraser Health Authority
* Elizabeth Model, CEO, Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association
* James Carwana, mediator and arbitrator
* Jaspreet Sunner, lawyer and labour relations representative, Hospital Employees’ Union
* Manav Gill, Manager, Clinical Operations, Fraser Health Authority
* Meena Brisard, Regional Director, Canadian Union of Public Employees
Initial appointments will range from 12- to 18-month terms.
Under the Police Act, the board is required to establish and oversee the Surrey Police Department and is subject to oversight by the Director of Police Services, who has a statutory responsibility to superintend policing in B.C. The board has four main governance functions:
– employing the police and civilian employees;
– providing financial oversight for the police department;
– establishing policies and directions for the department; and
– managing service and policy complaints against the department.
The City Council will now have to choose a new board member.
