Premier Eby says B.C. officials will brief Surrey mayor, council over police dispute

British Columbia Premier David Eby says he expects his government and Surrey’s mayor and council to work together to resolve the police service issue in the Metro Vancouver city.

Eby said Monday he’s spoken twice with Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke since Friday when the government recommended the city proceed with its transition to the Surrey Police Service rather than return to the RCMP.

“One of the key features of my conversation with the mayor, certainly it was her opinion and it’s mine as well, that we need to get closure on this as quickly as possible,” he said at the legislature.

Locke, who was elected last fall on a promise to bring the Mounties back to Surrey, said the council will review the government’s recommendation, but her initial reaction was to continue with the plan to return to the RCMP.

The city spent millions of dollars and hired numerous staff members for the new police service before the mayor was elected.