SURREY Police Service (SPS) announced on Monday that it has deployed 18 more experienced constables to work with Surrey RCMP officers in frontline policing, investigations, and dealing with gangs.

This brings the total number of SPS officers who have been deployed into policing operations in Surrey to 205.

This deployment was approved and supported by both police agencies as well as the Surrey Policing Transition Trilateral Committee to provide the appropriate resourcing levels to deliver policing services in Surrey.

As with previous deployment cohorts, these officers come from various police agencies and add valuable experience to frontline call response. Every deployed SPS officer completes a six-week training course to ensure all provincial policing standards are met and to familiarize them with SPS policies and practices.

Despite past experience and training with their former agencies, SPS ensures all of its officers receive updated training based on current industry best practices before they are deployed.

“I continue to be impressed by the experienced officers who have joined Surrey Police Service,” said SPS Chief Constable Norm Lipinski. “Their backgrounds and expertise coupled with their desire to deliver the best in policing makes them excellent additions to SPS and to the community they serve.

SPS currently has 333 police officers, including 39 recruit officers who are either training at the Justice Institute of British Columbia or in field training with frontline officers in Surrey. In total, SPS said it has 394 sworn and civilian employees, all of whom are dedicated to providing a community focused, progressive policing driven service for Surrey residents and business owners.

While all parties await a decision from the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General on the future of Surrey’s policing transition, phase one of the transition and the SPS-RCMP Human Resources Strategy and Plan remain in effect, said SPS.