The contentious transition from the RCMP to the Surrey Police Service (SPS) has hit another significant roadblock, with officials now confirming the full handover won’t be completed until well after 2026. This latest delay adds another chapter to what has become one of British Columbia’s most politically charged public safety initiatives.
“We’re looking at a timeline that extends beyond what residents were initially told,” said Surrey Police Service Chief Norm Lipinski in an exclusive interview with CO24 News. “The complexity of transferring policing responsibilities while maintaining public safety standards has proven more challenging than anticipated.”
The transition, which began in 2020 following a campaign promise by former mayor Doug McCallum, has been mired in controversy since its inception. What started as a proposed three-year implementation has now stretched into a nearly decade-long process, with costs ballooning from the initial $63.7 million estimate to what financial analysts now project could exceed $235 million.
Surrey residents have expressed growing frustration with the extended timeline. Community surveys indicate 64% of residents are concerned about potential gaps in service during the transition period, while 72% worry about increasing costs being passed to taxpayers through property tax increases.
“This isn’t just about switching uniforms,” explained Dr. Cathy Palmer, a public safety policy expert at Simon Fraser University. “We’re talking about transferring complex operational systems, evidence management protocols, and rebuilding community relationships that the RCMP has established over decades. There’s no magic switch you can flip.”
The provincial government, which ultimately approved the transition despite initial resistance, has maintained public support for the project while acknowledging the extended timeline. B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth recently told the provincial legislature that “public safety remains the paramount concern” throughout the transition process.
Currently, approximately 400 SPS officers are working alongside RCMP members in an integrated model that police officials describe as “functional but not optimal.” Internal documents obtained through freedom of information requests reveal ongoing challenges with command structures, information sharing protocols, and operational coordination between the two forces.
Financial implications continue to concern Surrey residents. The city’s 2024 budget included a 6.8% property tax increase partially attributed to transition costs, with future increases likely as the process extends further. Business leaders have raised concerns about the economic impact of these additional tax burdens on the city’s commercial development.
The Surrey Police Board, which oversees the transition, defended the extended timeline in a statement: “We are prioritizing a seamless transition that maintains the highest levels of public safety. Rushing this process would create unacceptable risks for residents and officers alike.”
As this transition continues to unfold against a backdrop of provincial politics and local governance challenges, Surrey residents are left wondering: at what point does the pursuit of local policing autonomy become too costly—both financially and in terms of community stability—to justify the ongoing disruption?
For continuing coverage of this developing story, visit CO24 Canada News and CO24 Politics.
