Following the provincial announcement that the Surrey Police Service (SPS) will officially take over as the police of jurisdiction for the City of Surrey on November 29, 2024, the City, SPS, the RCMP, the Province of B.C., and Public Safety Canada have been collaborating closely to plan and implement this transition.
Starting November 29, 2024, SPS will assume all law enforcement responsibilities in Surrey. The B.C. RCMP will continue to operate in the area, providing transitional support to SPS until the handover is complete. Both agencies will work together under a temporary arrangement during this period.
“Since fall 2021, we have been gradually introducing SPS officers and vehicles to the community, allowing residents and business owners to become familiar with us,” said Chief Constable Norm Lipinski of the Surrey Police Service. “The change in police jurisdiction on November 29 marks an important next step in our transition, and we are excited to serve as Surrey’s new police service.”
Under the new model, residents will see both SPS and RCMP officers and vehicles in Surrey until SPS is fully independent. This approach aims to ensure public safety, maintain clear communication with residents, and uphold the integrity of ongoing investigations. The methods for contacting police and accessing police stations will remain unchanged throughout this transition.
“The RCMP has proudly served Surrey since 1951, and we are dedicated to ensuring a safe transition for both the public and our officers,” stated Assistant Commissioner John Brewer of the BC RCMP. “We will provide certainty for our members as we move to a support role, with defined responsibilities. Significant efforts are underway to facilitate this transition,
and the RCMP remains committed to serving the citizens of Surrey.”
The transition will be complete when all policing duties in Surrey are handled exclusively by SPS officers. The timeline for this process depends on several factors, including the pace of SPS hiring, enhancements to infrastructure, and the transfer of files and evidence from the RCMP.
Currently, SPS has hired 409 officers, which is more than half of the planned 785 officers for the completed transition. All partners involved are committed to ensuring a smooth and safe transition of policing responsibilities from the RCMP to SPS on November 29. Further updates will be provided as more details become available.
