THE law and order situation in Surrey is getting increasingly dire and dangerous as Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and Surrey RCMP are defying Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth in a desperate move to retain the RCMP.

The VOICE in fact started adding the following to all crime stories from Surrey from June 9 to make the citizens aware of this situation:

“NOTE: Deployed Surrey Police Service (SPS) officers currently comprise over 25% of the Surrey RCMP’s total detachment strength, and 50% of its frontline officers. SPS already has 46% of the police officers currently required to police Surrey. More SPS officers are ready to be deployed but have been prevented from doing so because of politics by Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and the Surrey RCMP without regard for safety of Surrey residents.”

Now Farnworth has issued yet another letter of warning to Locke and all Surrey Councillors warning of “a policing crisis which puts into question safe and effective policing in the City of Surrey” as Locke is refusing to be open about her plan to retain the RCMP.

He warns in his letter dated June 13: “It is troubling from a public safety perspective that Ministry officials are prevented an opportunity to provide advice regarding the suitability of the proposed plan to meet the mandatory and non-negotiable conditions.”

He also points out bluntly:  “As Minister of Public Safety, it is my responsibility to ensure that an adequate and effective level of policing and law enforcement is maintained in Surrey, the region, and across the province”

Here is Farnworth’s letter:

Dear Mayor Brenda Locke and City Councillors:

I write in follow-up to my letter dated June 1, 2023, regarding the City of Surrey’s police model transition. I appreciate that all members of Council have now signed and returned the confidentiality agreement to the Province and have received the minimally redacted Director of Police Services’ Report on the City of Surrey’s Police Model Transition and Decision to Retain the RCMP .

As I mentioned in my letter on June 1, 2023, there has been significant work undertaken by Ministry officials and City staff to establish an agreed upon process of information sharing. This information sharing is critical to ensure that the Corporate Report drafted by City staff for Council’s consideration adequately addresses the mandatory conditions, requirements, financial implications including, full costing, and other relevant implications for each police model to ensure safe and effective policing in Surrey.

Ministry officials were informed that City staff have received direction to not provide a copy of the Corporate Report in advance of Council’s further direction on this matter.

It is troubling from a public safety perspective that Ministry officials are prevented an opportunity to provide advice regarding the suitability of the proposed plan to meet the mandatory and non-negotiable conditions. It is also contrary to the good faith that Ministry officials and City staff have been operating in to ensure that all relevant information is presented to Council to make an informed decision.

In this instance, Council could end up considering the Corporate Report and a plan that may not meet the mandatory conditions and obligations placed on the City for either police model. It is important that any plan by the City has agreement from trusted experts and career public servants in my Ministry.

I am concerned that should Council vote on a plan that does not adequately address the mandatory and binding conditions on the transition, this already precarious situation could become further destabilized in an expedited timeline. This could create a policing crisis which puts into question safe and effective policing in the City of Surrey.

The mandatory and binding conditions and associated reporting requirements are in place to ensure adequate and effective policing. In order for Council to make the most informed decision, it is imperative that the report prepared for Council consideration meets all associated requirements on timelines, costs and implications for each condition.

As Minister of Public Safety, it is my responsibility to ensure that an adequate and effective level of policing and law enforcement is maintained in Surrey, the region, and across the province. It is my expectation that City staff be permitted to work with Ministry officials in ensuring that this responsibility is met and in meeting your own obligations to provide policing outlined in the Police Act.

To this end, please confirm in writing that City staff will be permitted to maintain information sharing with Ministry officials and that an advance copy of the Corporate Report will be provided to Ministry officials in advance of its submission to Council.