Future of Surrey force hangs in the balance, so BC Police launches recruitment war Globalnews.ca

If you’ve driven over the Port Mann or Patulo bridges recently, the signs are hard to miss.

The Vancouver Police are in the midst of a major recruitment drive as they seek to fill 100 or more positions, part of a campaign promise by new Mayor Ken Simms.

“It’s the biggest since the Olympics,” Vancouver Police Sgt. Terry Parmar said.

“It’s challenging for us, but at the same time I think people think it’s the most difficult place to be, but for us, we employ the most officers, compared to a smaller contingent where they only work. Can keep on.” Five to six people a year.

The VPD loomed large on bus shelter advertisements and billboards, as well as large signs visible from bridges – strategically placed along the border with Surrey.

The future of policing in that city looms large as the VPD – and other police agencies in the province – try to recruit new and experienced officers.

And the competition is hot — so hot that the Victoria Police Recently offered a $20,000 hiring bonus To try and snag experienced officers.

The City of Surrey has moved to disband the new Surrey Police Service and retain the Surrey RCMP, but the final decision now rests in the hands of Mike Farnsworth, Minister for Public Safety and Solicitor General.

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Members of the Surrey Police Service Union pledge not to join the RCMP

Sources told Global News that a decision could still be weeks away, and uncertainty is weighing on the movement between sector departments.

“How can Surrey plan, how can residents have any sense of confidence, if there is complete uncertainty about who their police force is going to be,” Kevin Falcon, leader of the B.C. Liberal opposition, said Friday.

“It creates a huge amount of uncertainty for RCMP members, for New Surrey Police members, for the public, for the administration, for the mayor, for everybody – please, decide, govern.”

At Thursday’s Vancouver Police Board meeting, VPD Chief Adam Palmer confirmed that at least eight veteran officers have recently arrived at his department, including officers from the RCMP, Surrey Police Service, Delta Police Department and Metro Vancouver Transit Police .

The uncertainty about the future of policing in Surrey has had an impact elsewhere.

The Delta Police Department said it went “overpowered” ahead of the SPS recruitment effort, while the Port Moody Police Department said some of its officers had relocated to Surrey.

SPS itself said it believes it has seen four officers transferred back to their parent agencies since 2021.

Whatever the final decision on policing in Surrey, Parmar believes it will be a net victory for the VPD.

“If the Surrey Police Department stays, RCMP members have an opportunity to come to us, and if SPS folds, those officers have an opportunity to come to us as well,” he said.

“Either way I believe it’s going to be a positive one.”

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