THE United Truckers Association (UTA) held a vote on supporting the Surrey policing transition over the weekend, with the over 478 members in attendance voting unanimously in favour.

After months of internal contemplation by the UTA executive, and in light of Monday night’s successful Surrey City Council vote to proceed on a de-transition plan to reverse the policing transition and send a report to Solicitor General and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, the UTA said it decided now was the time to make a public declaration.

“It also marks the first major South Asian community organization which has offered a public endorsement of continuing the transition to a municipal police force since the recent election,” the UTA noted.

“While the UTA’s membership has always been in favour of a more local, community-based model of policing in Surrey, it was critical to set a precedent within the South Asian community,” said UTA spokesperson Gagan Singh. “Too many of our young people have fallen victim to the criminal lifestyle, and Surrey is in desperate need of change to preserve our future as a community and as a city.”

However, the UTA said it remained appreciative and supportive of the hundreds of Surrey RCMP officers currently working locally and is concerned for these frontline officers as the transition continues.

“The UTA requests the Provincial Government continue with the approved police transition and provide certainty to the residents of Surrey in a timely manner. A municipal police service will be accountable to the residents of Surrey in ensuring adequate staffing levels and aligns with the recommendations of the report by the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act,” the UTA said.

“That is why the UTA is imploring the Surrey Police Board and the Surrey Police Union to consider priority hiring status for these RCMP officers, the majority of which have been attached and integrated into the local community for many years.”

“Away from the divisive politics that we have seen in recent times, UTA members understand the human cost to both sides with the prospect of job loss hanging over families,” added Singh. “The UTA calls on those in charge of the Surrey Police Service hiring process to consider this wealth of experience from the RCMP detachment as they continue to hire additional capacity over the coming months and years.

The UTA said it was proud to be a community-based South Asian organization whose Surrey-based members put public safety ahead of politics and all other considerations.