Surrey policing: Ex-mayor has no regrets as new force takes over [Video]

The Surrey Police Service took over from the RCMP and became the city’s force of jurisdiction Friday, after a six-year saga set in motion by former mayor Doug McCallum.

Along the way, there were court challenges, a change of municipal government and accusations of bullying, but McCallum says he has no regrets about the troubled transition for the community southeast of Vancouver.

He only wishes it could have happened sooner.

“We did it because we felt that we wanted to have a lot more local control in Surrey,” he said.

“And also that we wanted sort of a new type of policing, which is proactive and working in the community .… And that’s happened a lot in the last six years as we slowly transition,” he said.

Surrey Police Service officers have been working alongside the RCMP since 2021. Now, the municipal force will have the leadership role, with the Mounties offering support until the transition is complete.

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