Following a tumultuous 48 hours in Surrey, the city’s mayor has broken her silence after Norm Lipinski was ousted by the Surrey Police Board (SPB) from his role as chief.
The board issued a short statement late Tuesday morning, hours after 1130 NewsRadio Vancouver confirmed he was being let go.
1130 NewsRadio had obtained an internal memo written by the Surrey Police Union to its members, stating it had yet to receive “formal notification” about Lipinski’s position, despite numerous requests for clarification.
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The board eventually said Deputy Chief Constable Todd Matsumoto had been appointed in the interim — adding it will soon start the process to find a permanent replacement.
“We want to assure our partners and all community members that we remain focused on protecting public safety and providing uninterrupted service delivery to the community. We are confident in the leadership team of SPS, and in the continued professionalism of all SPS personnel,” the board stated.
While at an event in Surrey on Tuesday evening, Locke briefly spoke with reporters about the situation. She claimed she didn’t know what was going on until the board firmed up details, despite the story initially surfacing on Monday evening.
“I only know what I get from the police board. As you know, we do not make those decisions at City Hall — it’s all made by the Surrey Police Board. So, all I know is what was given out as a notice by the police board.”
It is no secret Locke and Lipinski did not see eye to eye on multiple issues, including the ongoing lengthy transition from the Surrey RCMP to the SPS.
Locke thanked Lipinski, adding that he took the transition process “a very long way.”
“It was challenging — absolutely. And I wish him well, but I have no further comment,” said Locke.
“We have been in this transition now for a very long time, since 2019, in fact. That has been a significant challenge, there’s no doubt about that. But I don’t know, the board made their decision on their own.”
During his tenure, she says the two would speak, predominantly via text message, and also “met from time to time.”
Given the city is currently embroiled in an extortion crisis, this changing of the guard may be hard for some residents.
“I’m very confident in the board that is there, and I’m very confident in the new acting chief. I’m sure they will continue to make sure that Surrey is a safe city, and that is something I’ll also be watching for, but I know they’re committed to that,” said Locke.
When asked about how details of Lipinski’s removal leaked and circulated long before the news was officially confirmed, Locke said, “These are HR issues and they’re always challenging, but it really is up to the Surrey Police Board to manage that, so I don’t have any comment.”
The development, reportedly, isn’t going over well with union members.
The union memo states, “While we continue working to determine the facts, I want members to know that your union is fully engaged and actively seeking answers.”
It continues, “The union has repeatedly raised concerns regarding staffing, recruitment, retention, wellness, operational sustainability, and workload pressures. We have warned that public safety cannot be maintained indefinitely through overtime, goodwill, and the personal sacrifices of our members.”
It says members have been warning about staffing shortages, which have “reached critical levels in many areas of the organization.”
“Overtime shifts are routinely going unfilled. Members are experiencing increasing fatigue and burnout. Development opportunities are being cancelled because of staffing shortages. Wellness resources are strained. Morale continues to deteriorate. Many members no longer believe the organization has the staffing, resources, or operational support necessary to sustain the current pace of transition safely and effectively. None of these concerns are new.”
The memo suggests Lipinski’s removal could be a politically motivated move by Locke.
“Chief Lipinski did not create the political instability surrounding Surrey policing. He did not create the funding shortfalls. He did not create the staffing shortages. In fact, many of the concerns our members have today are concerns he repeatedly raised himself.”
It adds, “Many members will inevitably view this as an attempt to hold one individual responsible for broader failures in governance, resourcing, planning, and political decision-making. This perception will only be strengthened by the fact that these reports come shortly after the province declined to renew the previous Police Board and after years of political interference, uncertainty, and instability surrounding policing in Surrey.”
The memo says the union will push for a new chief who serves its members and the public, and not just City Hall.
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In February, the SPS received $47 million less than its union had hoped for in this year’s budget after the city said it underspent the previous year.
The board had asked for $331.5 million for 2026.
The union memo notes the reduction.
“Our members see the consequences of those decisions every day. Frontline officers, civilian professionals, supervisors, investigators, trainers, and support staff are being asked to do more with less while continuing to meet the expectations of one of Canada’s largest and fastest-growing cities.”
On Tuesday afternoon, chair of the Surrey Police Board (SPB), Harley Chappell, announced his resignation from the oversight committee, claiming he was “blindsided to have Norm removed.”