B.C. government wants more information on fight for power between Surrey police services

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the City of Surrey, the Surrey RCMP and Surrey Police Service need to provide more information before government can decide which of the two police agencies should oversee law and order in the city’s second largest municipality.

On Thursday, Farnworth said his ministry had received submissions from all three groups regarding “the Surrey police transition”, but more information was needed before either the Surrey RCMP or the SPS was selected to act as the sole policing agency.

“It’s clear that considerable work has gone into developing these plans and reports, and I appreciate their timely submission,” Farnworth said.

However, he added “The director of police services has determined that additional information is required to inform further consideration of the matter and has made a request to the parties for that information.”

The fight for control over policing in Surrey has become an ugly and divisive political matter.