The Surrey Police Board has issued the following statement in response to comments by the Surrey Mayor-elect regarding the status of Surrey Police Services senior command staff: 

“The Mayor-elect indicated throughout the municipal election campaign that she would reverse the policing transition from the RCMP to Surrey Police Service (SPS). In her post-election comments to media, she has subsequently suggested an intention to remove SPS senior command staff.  

“It is important to note that the Surrey Police Board (the Board) is the legal employer of all employees of SPS, including senior command staff. Any decision regarding the status of the senior command staff would be a decision of the Board. The Board has full confidence in the Chief and other senior administrators who have been instrumental in building all aspects of SPS to meet or exceed the BC Provincial Policing Standards required to become police of jurisdiction.   

“The Surrey Police Board is offering the Mayor-elect and council a full briefing of the policing transition process at their earliest opportunity to ensure there is an open and direct line of communication and that they have all the facts required to make informed decisions.”