THE Surrey Police Service on Tuesday unveiled its new badge, vision and values, all reflective of how the service envisions its community safety partnership with the citizens of Surrey, predicted to be British Columbia’s largest city in less than 10 years.

Flanked by the words honour, integrity and respect, the shield within the badge has three key visual elements: The Coast Salish eye, a fess (check) pattern, and six stars—one for each of Surrey’s town centres (Cloverdale, Guildford, Fleetwood, Newton, South Surrey, and Whalley/City Centre).

The Coast Salish eye, designed by Semiahmoo First Nation artist Leslie Wells is at the top of the shield, acknowledging the First Peoples who first inhabited this land. Surrey is situated on the traditional ancestral and unceded territories of the Katzie, Kwantlen and Semiahmoo First Nations.

“We are grateful to First Nations communities and Mr. Wells for the honour of allowing us to use his art as part of our badge,” said Chief Constable Norm Lipinski. “We value its significant meaning and we do not take lightly the responsibility we have to all people.”

The fess (check) pattern is a nod to Sir Robert Peel, acknowledged as the founder of modern, democratic policing principles. His nine principles of policing have withstood the test of time and are widely accepted as the foundation of community policing. The themes of crime prevention, community trust, and engagement will be key tenets of the Surrey Police Service. The fess pattern is taken from the hatband of the Surrey Police in the United Kingdom, as a reminder to all who work for SPS, that in accordance with Peel’s Principles, collaboration and respect between a police service and the community is essential.

“A crest is so much more than fabric fastened to a uniform; it is a source of pride for police officers and the incredible work they do,” noted Lipinski. “We are focused on creating a team of individuals who are service-oriented, represent the diversity of our community, and who will be guardians of public safety in Surrey. We will treat this symbol and all it represents with honour, integrity and respect.”

In keeping with the City’s history of municipal policing, SPS will also honour the municipal police officers who came before them (1887-1951) through its approach to badge numbering.

“The first SPS badge will be emblazed with the number 22,” said Police Board Chair Mayor Doug McCallum. “When it is handed to Chief Lipinski, we will all be reminded of the 21 sworn members of the original Surrey municipal police department who came before him, including Constable Edmund T. Wade and Constable George McDonald, killed in the line of duty in 1927. The badge also honours the original Surrey municipal police officers who transitioned to the RCMP, this month, 70 years ago.”

Lipinski also announced the department’s vision—a promise to the citizens of Surrey:

“SPS is a progressive, community-based police service that values diversity, partnerships, and accountability as it works to enhance public safety and community well-being.” 

Supporting its vision are the department’s values: honour, integrity, respect, courage, compassion, and inclusive.   

“Our values represent our commitments to the community and the actions the SPS will take in the course of its duties,” said Lipinski.  “We understand we are here to serve all citizens and to do so with both courage and compassion.”

Punjabi:

BACKGROUNDER

About the Surrey Police Service Badge

Conceptual drawings for the badge began in August 2020. The three elements were envisioned by Heraldic Artists of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and Leslie Wells, Semiahmoo First Nation artist.

Once in final draft form, the badge design was sent for Royal Assent through the Governor General of Canada, following a set of strict guidelines for policing heraldry for Commonwealth police departments.

Royal Assent was granted on March 26, 2021

The artist who created the Coast Salish Eye is Leslie Wells. (https://www.surrey.ca/arts-culture/surrey-public-art/public-art-collection/eight-salmon-heads.)The other design elements were completed by a heraldic artist.

About Surrey Police Service Vision and Values

The Surrey Police Service vision and values were approved by the Police Board on April 20, 2021.

Honour: We serve our community with pride and can be depended on to uphold the public’s trust in everything we do.

Integrity: We are honest, ethical, and accountable, committed to doing what is right and to guarding the rights and security of others.

Respect: We recognize each person’s inherent dignity and worth, and work to build strong, healthy, collaborative relationships within our community and team.

Courage: We respond to the moral and physical challenges of policing with purpose and determination – persevering in the face of adversity and fear.

Compassion: We work to listen, understand and help, responding with empathy, humility and concern to the suffering of others.

Inclusive: We welcome and celebrate diverse peoples, cultures and ideas, knowing that – together – we can achieve more.

Surrey Police Service Update

* To date, 28 sworn police officers have been hired to leadership roles and 15 civilian staff.

* Recruitment has commenced and will continue on an ongoing phased approach.

* Surrey Police Service will be hosting information sessions in May and June:

– May 13, 6:30 p.m. – Chief Constable Lipinski and the three Deputy Chiefs will talk about the SPS vision, values, bureaus, and priorities.

– May 27, 6:30 p.m. – Deputy Chiefs will join SPS Superintendents to cover information of special interest to experienced officers (RCMP and Municipal).

– June 24, 6:30 p.m. – Deputy Chiefs, Superintendent of Support Services, Team Lead for Recruiting, and Human Resources will speak about choosing a career in policing and what new recruits should know if considering a career with the Surrey Police Service

* Planning for community consultation is ongoing with anticipation for initiatives to be underway June and July 2021. The information collected from the community engagement series will become the foundation for the SPS Strategic Plan and inform the operating model as SPS begins to provide policing service in Surrey.