Adding depth to the organization and in preparation of putting boots on the ground in the coming months, Surrey Police has added to its leadership cadre. Chief Lipinski and the Executive Officers are proud to welcome Inspectors, Tony Farahbakhchian, Rachel Milne and Benoit Rodrigue.

In his 29 years of policing service with the RCMP, Inspector Farahbakhchian has had a wide range of assignments that were local, provincial, national, and international in scope. From UN peace keeping missions in Haiti to operational local policing across the country ultimately landed in the Lower Mainland. He is currently an Inspector with “E” Division RCMP -Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit, Financial Integrity Program. His policing experience is varied, from leading community policing initiatives to criminal investigative experience with a focus on financial crimes.

Initially starting her career in Saskatchewan, Inspector Milne later transferred to British Columbia where she has served in several communities within the Lower Mainland. In her 25-year career with the RCMP Inspector Milne has focused on General Duty policing overseeing a Media and Communications team, a Community Response Team, a School Liaison Section, a Rural Policing Unit, and has been the liaison for local Indigenous Bands. Currently she oversees all operational and administrative aspects of frontline policing for the City of Burnaby and sits on numerous multi-jurisdictional policing committees.

Inspector Rodrigue has served with both the Vancouver Police and RCMP. He is currently a District Inspector with the Canadian Pacific Police Service where he oversees police operations and logistics of five detachments. Throughout his career, he served many communities in many supervisory roles from the ranks of Corporal, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, and Inspector. Of note, Inspector Rodrigue played an instrumental role with the formation of the Surrey Gang Enforcement Team.

Chief Lipinski states: “With the leadership that is in place we are presently working on a deployment model. Surrey Police Service is in a strong position to continue the forward momentum. We are moving in the right direction at the right pace to operationalize a municipal police service. This is an exciting time for the City and for the Surrey Police Service as we move ever closer to becoming the police of jurisdiction and proudly serving the citizens of Surrey.”

The Surrey Police Service has reached the place of starting to cascade the hiring process, initiating the recruiting process for experienced officers at the Sergeant and Staff Sergeant ranks. Please visit the Careers section for more information and to make application.

Profiles of each officer are noted in the backgrounder.