ON December 30, 2024, the Lieutenant Governor signed an Order in Council to appoint a new Surrey Police Board, effective January 31.

Under the amended Police Act, the Provincial Government appoints up to seven members and City Council appoints one elected representative and one city representative.

• Nerissa Allen
• Sarbjit Bains
• Bilal Cheema
• James Carwana
• Harley Chappell
• Christine Mohr
• Rob Stutt (Elected City Council representative)

In November 2023, the provincial government paused the appointments of Surrey Police Board members and appointed Mike Serr as Board Administrator to advance the policing transition. The appointment of the Board Administrator is rescinded, as of January 31.

During January, the new Police Board members have been going through an onboarding process to become orientated to the role, in order to assume their responsibilities immediately upon the effective date of their appointment. There are currently two additional vacancies to be filled: one city Council appointment and one Provincial Cabinet appointment.

Mike Serr, Surrey Police Board Administrator, said: “I would like to thank Police Services Branch, Crown Agencies and Board Resourcing Office and Surrey City Council for their efforts in re-establishing the Surrey Police Board. Civilian oversight is integral to public trust and confidence of the police, and I am impressed with the diverse expertise that the new Police Board members will bring.”

He added: “It has been an honour to serve as Board Administrator and I am proud to have been a part of the significant milestone of SPS assuming police of jurisdiction in Surrey. There is more work ahead to fully complete the transition , and I have full trust in this new Police Board and Chief Lipinski and his team to build a police service that will make a difference in Surrey.”

The first Surrey Police Board meeting will be held on February 12.

MEANWHILE, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said: “We are delighted to have Councillor Stutt join the Surrey Police Board. His extensive experience in policing, combined with his dedication to community service, will be a great asset. It is crucial to have policing experience on the Board to ensure that decisions are well-informed and effectively address the needs of our community. I am confident that his insights and leadership will help guide the Board in its work to keep Surrey safe and thriving.”

The City said: “Councillor Stutt brings over 40 years of experience in policing and the insurance industry, including service with the RCMP in Surrey. As a dedicated member of the local community for more than three decades, he has served on the executive of the Sullivan Community Association and volunteered at various levels of minor hockey. Councillor Stutt currently chairs the Surrey Public Safety Committee and the Surrey Heritage Advisory Commission, and sits on a number of other committees, including the Audit Committee, Finance Committee, and Metro Vancouver’s Regional Parks Committee.”

Stutt said: “I am honoured to be appointed to the Surrey Police Board and to continue serving our community in this capacity. My background in policing and my years of public service have given me a deep understanding of Surrey’s diverse needs. I look forward to working collaboratively with my fellow Board members to make sure public safety remains a top priority for our city. I am committed to ensuring that residents and visitors to Surrey are afforded the best service possible.”