On November 29th thanks to our NDP Government, the RCMP discontinued being the Police of Jurisdiction in Surrey. We now have our own Surrey Police Service. I've written a lot on this blog regarding the police transition. Counsellor Linda Annis was on Global TV yesterday and she summed it up. "We should have been given a referendum six years ago". If we did, this boondoggle would have never happened. Had the taxpayers decided by a democratic vote, we would all accept whatever the outcome was. They never did a business plan or cost/benefit analysis and the city went forward blind. Only when we had an election and changed mayors did we start finding our what the actual cost would be.
After a court battle, which the city lost, the NDP Government gave the city $250 million dollars to help with the additional costs. Will it be enough? We will find out in ten years when the funds run out.
The RCMP did an excellent job policing Surrey since 1951! I am a block watch coordinator and know many of the RCMP officers. Right now the new Surrey Police Services only has enough manpower to police two of five districts in the city. They say it will take over the entire city in two years, but it's taken six years to get 2 districts out of 5 districts staffed. The RCMP will police the other three districts until the SPS recruits enough officers to fill the vacancies. In this day and age, policing isn't the preferred job it was in the 1960's and staffing is an issue for every police force.
They recommend at least 800 police officers for our city. As of today, the Surrey Police Services has: Senior Officers: 29 · Staff Sergeants: 20 · Sergeants: 95 · Constables: 302.
The reason it's called the Surrey Police Service is because Surrey Police have been responsible for police services in Surrey, south east England since 1851. They didn't want to be confused. Surrey Police in the UK have 2,134 police officers and 141 special constables!
After university, Dave, my son-in-law applied to the RCMP. He was already engaged to Cheryl, but they would wait until after depot to have the wedding. Dave was a licensed security guard through university and worked at the downtown night clubs. According to my daughter, he was a great guy to know because at Mars or Richard's on Richard, he worked the door. Her and her friends always got VIP treatment. Dave got a rejection letter from the RCMP. He had the qualifications however the reason: "we are hiring only ethnic and indigenous officers now". No whites needed! I must say his parents were happy because of the dangers RCMP officers face. He never reapplied to the RCMP or any other police force as he got a good job in private industry.
This poem was written by Ivan Scott, the founder of "Keep the RCMP in Surrey".
Ode to the Surrey RCMP 29 November 2024
Beneath the Maple's steadfast shade,
The RCMP in Surrey stood, unswayed.
Seventy-two years, their duty embraced,
A shield of justice, our city’s grace.
Five lives given in courage’s name,
In sacrifice, they forged their flame.
Guardians bold, through night and strife,
They walked the line to guard our life.
With red serge proud and hearts of steel,
They served with honor, their creed was real.
Yet now, they’re cast by ruling hand,
Dismissed by force, not citizen’s stand.
Fifty thousand voices raised in plea,
“Keep the Mounties, let them be!”
Petitions signed, elections fought,
Yet justice for the people sought.
Our voices drowned by power’s decree,
A travesty in democracy.
To those who swore to serve, not reign,
You’ve turned away, and left disdain.
To Surrey’s heroes, we raise this verse,
Your loss, our city’s bitter curse.
Though uniforms fade, your honor shines,
Forever etched in Surrey’s lines.
May history mark this somber day,
When voices of the many were swept away.
But gratitude for you will never part,
RCMP, you’re in Surrey’s heart.
We tried.
Ivan Michael Scott – Founder of KEEP THE RCMP IN SURREY Campaign
Peter Short – Director of KEEP THE RCMP IN SURREY Campaign
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