The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have been officially replaced in Surrey by the city's own police force.The Surrey Police Service took over duties at midnight on Friday, however the RCMP will continue operating in a "temporary support role" until the transition is completed, and will retain a presence in certain neighbourhoods."November 29, 2024 marks the beginning of a new era of policing in Surrey," the SPS wrote in a statement. "It's an exciting time and a historic moment, both in policing and in the development of Surrey, as residents will have their own municipal police service for the first time since 1951."The force described itself as a "progressive, community-based police service" that will "focus on the public safety issues that are a priority for the citizens of Surrey." It noted that a civilian police board will ensure accountability.In her own statement, RCMP Chief Supt. Wendy Mehat expressed "collective gratitude for the opportunity to serve" the people of Surrey. She made a point of acknowledging the five RCMP officers who gave their lives in the line of duty, Const. John Baldwinson, Const. Terrance Draginda, Const. Archille Lepine, Const. Roger Pierlet and Const.Adrian Oliver."Moving forward," Mehat continued, "you can still expect to see Frontline RCMP officers in Guildford, Cloverdale and South Surrey as we maintain all police operations in those neighbourhoods. You will also continue to see RCMP officers running Investigative Services for the majority of the city."She explained that these officers will "maintain the responsibility for serious crimes, criminal collision investigations, drug and gang enforcement investigations" as members of the Provincial Operations Support Unit.Mehat estimated that the transition from RCMP to SPS would take around two years, but that during that time, residents would not see any change in the quality of law enforcement.
