Since the provincial announcement that Surrey Police Service (SPS) will become the police of jurisdiction for Surrey on November 29, 2024, the City of Surrey, SPS, RCMP,  the Province of B.C., and Public Safety Canada have been working closely together to advance the planning and establish the model for the change of command from the RCMP to SPS.

On November 29, 2024, SPS will assume policing and law enforcement as the City of Surrey’s police of jurisdiction. The B.C. RCMP, as the provincial police service, will continue to operate in Surrey, providing temporary transitional supports to the SPS until the transition is completed, with both agencies working together under a temporary collaborative arrangement.

“Since the fall of 2021, we have been gradually introducing Surrey Police Service officers and vehicles to the community so residents and business owners can get to know SPS, and we can get to know them,” said Chief Constable Norm Lipinski, Surrey Police Service. “The change in Surrey’s police of jurisdiction on November 29th is the next phase of this transition and SPS is excited and honoured to serve as Surrey’s new police service.”

Under the new policing model, the public will see both SPS and RCMP officers and vehicles serving Surrey until SPS no longer requires the assistance of the RCMP. This will support an effective transition that will ensure public safety, clear communication with residents, and the integrity of all active investigations. The ways to call police and visit a police station in Surrey will not change as a result of this transition of policing responsibility.

“The RCMP has proudly served the City of Surrey since 1951 and we remain committed to a transition that prioritizes public and officer safety,” said Assistant Commissioner John Brewer, Criminal Operations – CORE Policing, BC RCMP. “We will ensure there is certainty for our Surrey members as we shift to a provincial support unit for Surrey, with specific roles and responsibilities. Significant work is underway to advance Surrey’s policing transition and the RCMP remains committed to providing policing to the citizens of Surrey.”

The transition will be fully completed when all policing duties in Surrey are conducted by SPS officers. The timeline for this will depend on several factors, including establishing a pace of SPS hiring that will allow the transition to ramp up while the RCMP reduces its support, as well as enhancing any infrastructure, and transferring files, and exhibits from the RCMP to SPS. To-date, SPS has hired 409 police officers, which is over half of the 785 police officers it will eventually have when the transition is complete.

All policing partners are committed to facilitating a safe, seamless transition as the responsibility for policing is shifted from the RCMP to Surrey Police Service on November 29th. Additional updates will be provided as details are confirmed.