“Since becoming the police of jurisdiction for Surrey on November 29, 2024, Surrey Police Service (SPS) has steadily and responsibly expanded its operations. We began in Whalley/City Centre and Newton, and in 2025 successfully transitioned policing responsibilities in South Surrey. The RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit continues to serve Guildford and Cloverdale as part of the phased transition plan.

“The next planned phase is Cloverdale. SPS had originally planned for a staged transition of this area, taking over the south side of Cloverdale in April 2026, and the north side in July 2026. In total, SPS requires approximately 70 police officers to police Cloverdale. Each transition phase is carefully guided by operational data and the projected hiring of recruits and experienced officers, to ensure we can meet service expectations from day one. 

“Over the past six months, however, Surrey has faced an unprecedented extortion crisis. Addressing this serious and complex issue has required the redeployment of more than 40 SPS officers to specialized investigative teams. While this work is critical to protecting our community, it has significantly impacted our staffing capacity.

“Based on this reality, SPS recommended a revised timeline that would allow us to maintain strong response levels across the city while continuing to address the extortion investigations effectively. This proposal, which would have delayed the Cloverdale transition by approximately four months, was presented to the Province of BC through meetings, detailed briefings, and formal correspondence.

“I have since been advised by the Director of Policing and Law Enforcement Services that SPS has been directed to assume responsibility for all of Cloverdale on April 1, 2026.

“My responsibility as Chief is to ensure that any transition occurs with the staffing levels necessary to meet community expectations and maintain public safety — particularly while significant investigative resources remain dedicated to the extortion files.

“Discussions with the Province, the Surrey Police Board, our unions, and legal counsel are ongoing. I will be able to provide an update once these discussions are concluded.

“Our focus remains clear: to provide effective policing and to ensure Surrey continues to receive the level of service the community deserves.”

Chief Constable Norm Lipinski