THE Surrey Police Board on Tuesday announced that Chief Constable Norm Lipinski has left Surrey Police Service (SPS), and Deputy Chief Constable Todd Matsumoto has been appointed Interim Chief Constable.
“We want to assure our partners and all community members that we remain focused on protecting public safety and providing uninterrupted service delivery to the community. We are confident in the leadership team of SPS, and in the continued professionalism of all SPS personnel,” Hanne Madsen, Leadership Transition Committee, said in a press statement on behalf of the Surrey Police Board.
The Board will shortly initiate a recruitment process for a new permanent Chief Constable and will share further information regarding that process in the coming weeks.
“We appreciate the ongoing support and collaboration of all partners and community members. Your support is invaluable towards helping make SPS make the most modern, trusted, and responsive police service in the country,” the statement added.
SURREY Mayor Brenda Locke said in a statement: “I want to thank Chief Lipinski for his service to the City and the Surrey Police Service over the last five years. As mayor, my focus remains public safety, and I look forward to working with Interim Chief Todd Matsumoto during this transition period.”
She added: “I am confident that the Surrey Police Board has a plan in place that will continue to prioritize keeping our neighbourhoods safe, while supporting the SPS to become a Canadian leader in trusted, modern, and responsive policing.”
