TO ensure development of a comprehensive plan for transitioning to an independent municipal police service from the Surrey RCMP, the City of Surrey has appointed a senior manager to lead the transition. Terry Waterhouse has been appointed as the General Manager, Policing Transition. 

“With his extensive experience in the criminal justice system and his most recent tenure as General Manager of Public Safety, Terry is well suited to lead the transition planning to a municipal police department for Surrey,” said Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum. “Terry’s expertise and ability to work with government partners, the RCMP and other external partners will ensure that the transition will be made as smoothly and as quickly as possible. I am confident that the Province and the RCMP will continue to work with us to make this change as seamless and as quickly as possible for the benefit of all the residents in Surrey.”

Surrey Council at its first regular meeting on November  had unanimously approved a motion to start work on creating a Surrey Police Department and serve notice to the federal and provincial governments that the City will be terminating its contract with the RCMP municipal police service. The evolution of policing services from the Surrey RCMP to a municipal police service will require a dedicated team focused on achieving a successful transition and Waterhouse’s new assignment will be integral as he develops and leads the transition process, the City said in a press statement on Wednesday.

“The task at hand is of utmost importance to the residents of Surrey and it is incumbent on us to have an orderly evolution of policing services for the City,” said Waterhouse. “We are moving quickly to put a team together that will allow us to cover off all aspects of this important endeavour.”