Victoria: Province’s Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says he will announce his decision about policing in Surrey on Friday.
The province has to make a decision whether the RCMP will remain in Surrey or transition to the Surrey Police Force will continue.
Last year in September during the municipal elections, Mayoral candidate Brenda Locke campaigned to keep RCMP in the city. After becoming the Mayor, she, along with the city council, sent a proposal to the provincial government to keep the RCMP in the city.
After four years when former Mayor Dough McCallum got police transition approved by the province, more than 300 police officers have been hired in the Surrey Police Force. These officers carry out patrol duties with RCMP officers in the city.
Speaking with reporters on Thursday, BC Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said he wants to make it clear that it is one of the tough decisions his government has to make. Farnworth said it is a complex issue and a lot of work went into it.
Farnworth said he will announce his decision about policing in Surrey on Friday.