SURREY,
BC, May 23, 2024 /CNW/ - Following is a
statement from Brian Sauvé, President and CEO of the National
Police Federation, regarding today's Supreme Court of British Columbia decision on the matter of
policing in Surrey.
"Since its inception, the decision to transition to a municipal
police service in Surrey has been
entirely political and not about public safety, recruitment, or the
excellent policing services our Members provide to Surrey residents.
Today's decision does not change the fact that there is still no
formal plan in place, leaving many critical unanswered questions
and details ahead of the projected transition date of November 29, 2024. Nor does it change the ongoing
service of our Members or their commitment to ensuring safety in
the Surrey community. It also does
not address how RCMP Members will have to cover the SPS as they
struggle to staff up to the more than 600 Members of the RCMP
already in the community.
The NPF is committed to ensuring that Members will not be forced
to work under the command of the SPS. There remains no mechanism,
beyond individual Member consent, to force any individual Member of
the RCMP to work under the command of a municipal police
service.
We will continue to advocate for a detailed and transparent plan
to ensure our Members and Surrey
taxpayers get the clarity and facts they deserve from this unwanted
transition."
About the National Police
Federation
The National Police Federation (NPF) represents ~20,000 RCMP
Members serving across Canada and
internationally. We are the largest police union in Canada. The NPF is focused on improving public
safety for all Canadians, including our Members by advocating for
much-needed investment in the public safety continuum. This
includes investments in police resourcing and modern equipment, as
well as social programs including health, addiction, and housing
supports to enhance safety and livability in the many communities
we serve, large and small, across Canada.
SOURCE National Police Federation