THE Surrey Police Union (SPU) on Thursday issued a statement that it said was to address recent misinformation circulated by Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke regarding the two-officer patrol cars within the Surrey Police Service (SPS).

The SPU asserted that contrary to Locke’s assertions, the implementation of two-person patrol cars does not increase policing costs. In fact, it represents a strategic move towards increased service delivery for the community. Here are some key points to consider:

* Targeted deployment: The primary purpose of deploying two-officer vehicles is to address critical incidents that necessitate a two-officer response, which accounts for approximately 40% of police calls. These calls include domestic violence situations, motor vehicle crashes with injuries, arrests, and interactions with gang members.

* Increased efficiencies and safety: With two officers present immediately, situations can be de-escalated more effectively, minimizing the need for physical intervention. The presence of two officers in patrol cars enhances response times to emergency situations requiring two officers, facilitating quicker interventions and resolution of critical incidents. This approach prioritizes officer safety and improves outcomes for victims, witnesses, and the public.

• Less cars, not more officers: The adoption of two-person patrol cars means fewer vehicles on the road, not an increase in the number of officers. This consolidation allows for streamlined operations and reduced costs associated with vehicle maintenance, fuel consumption, and overall fleet management.

“Mayor Locke’s assertion that two-person patrol cars will increase costs is misleading,” said Surrey Police Union President Rick Stewart. “It distracts from the fundamental principle that the same number of officers are deployed in either scenario, ensuring two officers arrive at high-risk calls at the same time. In fact, strategic implementation of two-person patrol vehicles enhances service delivery, decreases police use of force, and improves police response times.”

He noted that in their collective agreement, SPS and SPU agreed to analyze the data to ensure the most appropriate and effective use of two-officer patrol cars based on the time of day, day of the week, workload, and specific assignment requirements.