About SPS

Who we are

Surrey Police Service (SPS) proudly serves the City of Surrey, British Columbia—one of Canada’s fastest-growing and most diverse communities. Established in 2020, SPS became Surrey’s police of jurisdiction in 2024 following a phased transition from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). This marked a return to municipal policing, as Surrey was first served by the Surrey Police Department from 1887 to 1951 before policing responsibilities transitioned to the RCMP. Today, SPS is a modern, community-focused police service dedicated to enhancing public safety through local governance, strong partnerships, accountability, and responsive policing. The Service is committed to transparency, accountability, and meaningful community engagement that reflects the diverse needs of Surrey residents. SPS recognizes that our work takes place on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples.
 

Our crest

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Our vision

Surrey Police Service is a progressive, community-based police service that values diversity, partnerships, and accountability as it works to enhance public safety and community well-being. 

 

Our values

Honour

We serve our community with pride and can be depended on to uphold the public’s trust in everything we do.

Integrity

We are honest, ethical, and accountable, committed to doing what is right and to guarding the rights and security of others.

Respect

We recognize each person’s inherent dignity and worth, and work to build strong, healthy, collaborative relationships within our community and team.

Courage

We respond to the moral and physical challenges of policing with purpose and determination persevering in the face of adversity and fear.

Compassion

We work to listen, understand and help, responding to the suffering of others with empathy, humility, and concern.

Inclusiveness

We welcome and celebrate diverse peoples, cultures and ideas, knowing that—together—we can achieve more.


The history of policing in Surrey

The Surrey Municipal Police Department was established in 1887, marking the beginning of formal law enforcement in Surrey, British Columbia. On March 18, 1887, the first police officer, Edmund T. Wade, arrived in Surrey, British Columbia. Constable Alex D. Matheson was then appointed as the first Chief of Police in 1911. Matheson served at the Surrey Police Department from 1905 to 1937. In 1918 Surrey Council established a Police Commission to guide the direction of the local force, keeping local control of the police service. 

The Chief Constables who served Surrey as members of the Surrey Police Department:

  • 1909 to 1937 – A.D. (Alex) Matheson
  • 1937 to 1942 – L.E. (Len) Collishaw
  • 1942 to 1945 – J. (Jack) Idler
  • 1945 to 1947 – E. (Elton) Pierce
  • 1947 to 1948 – W.J. (William) Moffatt
  • 1948 to 1951 – J.L. (Jim) Crai

The City of Surrey made a decision on May 1, 1951 to change its policing model and contract the RCMP to take on law enforcement in Surrey. In 2018, Surrey City Council voted to transition from the RCMP back to its own municipal police service. This change was approved by the Province of BC and Surrey Police Service was established. You can find more information about the policing transition from the RCMP to SPS on our Policing Transition page.

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