Want to be on Surrey Police Board?

THE City of Surrey has advertised for the post of Executive Director to the Surrey Police Board, while the Province has advertised for members of the Board.

According to the City’s posting, “The Surrey Police Board will be responsible for setting the direction and strategic priorities of the Surrey Police Department (SPD). Reporting to the chair of the board, the executive director acts as the key resource for the board and provides research and pertinent information as it affects board oversight regarding budget, policy, and strategy. The executive director is a senior professional who represents the board in a discreet manner to a variety of stakeholders in a complex environment. Upon formation of the Surrey Police Board, this position will become a direct report to the Chair of the Police Board.”

But before you rush in with your application, take a look at the qualifications’ part:

  • A bachelors’ degree in business, public administration, or a related field.
  • At least 5-7 years of related experience as an Executive Director or Secretary to a Board, ideally with experience on a police board with related knowledge of the Police Act and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
  • Experience with strategic planning and developing policies and procedures.
  • Strong abilities in conducting research, analysis and preparing reports.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience liaising with diverse stakeholders.
  • Ability to manage a complex workload, be flexible with change and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities.
  • Strong attention to detail and critical thinking skills.
  • Aligns with the City of Surrey’s values of Integrity, Service, Teamwork, Innovation, and Community.
  • Must obtain and maintain a police security clearance.

The job is posted until March 26.

The Police Act requires each municipal police department to have a board consisting of:

– The mayor who acts as board chair
– One person appointed by the municipal council
– Up to seven people appointed by the province

The Province requires the following attributes:

  • Residence and/or business interests in the municipality served by the board;
  • Governance expertise;
  • Human Resources expertise;
  • Financial expertise;
  • Legal expertise;
  • Knowledge of current and emerging issues affecting public safety;
  • Knowledge of the community served by the local police department;
  • Strategic management and organizational change;
  • Communications experience;
  • Internal control and accounting experience;
  • Technology experience;
  • Public sector administration;
  • Labour Relations experience;
  • Risk Management knowledge;
  • Indigenous representation;
  • Community outreach; and
  • Those who identify as a minority, either through ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, or other.

Members should be available to meet on monthly basis and commit 40 hours or more per month to fulfill board duties. The new Board will establish its regular meeting and committee meeting schedule. Members may be required to sit on committees or panels, as needed, in order to deal with specific issues as they arise.

Each police board is mandated to establish and operate a police department in their municipality responsible for enforcing bylaws and criminal and provincial laws, maintaining order and preventing crime.

A police board sets the priorities, goals and objectives for its police department and develops the annual police department budget. The police board is responsible for service and policy complaints related to its police department. The board strives for a fair and responsive interaction between police and the community.

The goal of the province and the municipalities is to have police boards that reflect community demographics and that consist of qualified people who have shown they can act in the best public interest.

For more information on the board, refer to the Directory of Agencies website. For information on the Crown Agencies and Board Resourcing Office (CABRO) refer to CABRO website.