“The recent shootings in Surrey are deeply concerning, and my thoughts are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected. Any loss of life is unacceptable. Addressing gun violence and organized crime remains of paramount concern for Surrey Police Service (SPS).

“It is important to clarify recent public commentary regarding gang enforcement in Surrey. SPS temporarily repurposed the eight-person Gang Crime Unit to support a citywide response to an unprecedented extortion crisis and, later, to meet accelerated transition timelines. This decision was made to address immediate and serious public safety risks, not to diminish gang enforcement. 

“Currently, some of our Gang Crime Unit members remain actively engaged in gang-related policing, although focused on extortion gangs under our Project Assurance team. This work is being carried out alongside the BC Extortion Task Force and the SPS Extortion Response Team and has contributed to a marked reduction in extortion‑related violence. We continue to make arrests, advance investigations through the public release of suspect photos, and work with Canada Border Services Agency to support their immigration investigations.

“As staffing capacity improves, our plan is clear. The Gang Crime Unit will begin returning to its regular duties in mid‑June, when our next class of experienced officers is deployed and operational capacity is strengthened. This approach ensures continuity in both frontline response and specialised investigations.

“SPS is also actively engaging with the provincial gang unit, CFSEU‑BC, and some of their Uniform Gang Enforcement members are currently working in Surrey to address gang violence. These are regional, provincial, and national public safety challenges that require coordinated enforcement beyond Surrey alone.

“It is also important to note that SPS has been transparent and consistent about the resourcing pressures facing our organization as a result of the extortion crisis and the accelerated transition timeline (see: Statement from Chief Constable Lipinski – Next Phase of Police Transition).

“I have been clear that sustaining safe, effective enforcement requires adequate and timely resources. In January this year, I formally requested dedicated provincial police resources to support our fulsome extortion response in Surrey—resources that remain critically necessary. At the same time, accelerated transition timelines continue to place substantial strain on available staffing and must be aligned with realistic workforce capacity.

“The women and men of SPS —both sworn officers and civilian professionals—continue to respond decisively and professionally to complex and evolving threats. Our commitment to community safety is unwavering, but long‑term success depends on ensuring public safety expectations are matched with the coordinated resources required to meet them.

“We share the goal of safer neighbourhoods for everyone who lives and works in Surrey, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to achieve that goal responsibly and sustainably.”