Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth has temporarily suspended the Surrey Police Board 害羞草研究所� of which Mayor Brenda Locke was chairwoman 害羞草研究所� and appointed retired Abbotsford police chief Mike Serr as its replacement administrator.

害羞草研究所淭oday, I am announcing the appointment of Mike Serr as the administrator of the Surrey Police Board to assume the functions of the board to assist with Surrey害羞草研究所檚 transition to the SPS,害羞草研究所� Farnworth stated in a press release Thursday afternoon. 害羞草研究所淎ll members of the Surrey Police Board have been suspended and they will resume their roles when the administrator害羞草研究所檚 appointment concludes.害羞草研究所�

Farnworth noted Serr害羞草研究所檚 appointment was made under Section 8 of the Police Amendment Act 害羞草研究所渁fter careful consideration of the work by the Surrey Police Board, which has been limited due to the lack of progress from the City of Surrey in advancing the police model transition to the SPS.

害羞草研究所淭his need was identified by Jessica McDonald as the strategic implementation adviser in the course of her work on the transition and numerous meetings with key parties, subject matter experts and stakeholders,害羞草研究所� Farnworth said.

害羞草研究所淚 want to personally thank each member of the board for volunteering their time and for their dedication and commitment, while undertaking this challenging work to date. I know the Surrey Police Board and each board member has done their best through what has been unique, challenging and complicated circumstances. I look forward to their continued work and their service to the people of Surrey once an administrator is no longer needed.害羞草研究所�

Farnworth said by appointing Serr as administrator he害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所渢aking action to help move forward the transition (from the Surrey RCMP to Surrey Police Service) to completion.害羞草研究所�

Locke could not be reached for comment. Melissa Granum, executive director of the Surrey Police Board, declined to comment 害羞草研究所渁t this time,害羞草研究所� except to say that 害羞草研究所渢he board respects the decision of the government.害羞草研究所�

Surrey Police Service害羞草研究所檚 Chief Constable Norm Lipinski issued a statement late Thursday afternoon thanking the SPB for 害羞草研究所渢he outstanding work they have done over the past three years to stand up a brand-new police agency while navigating an unprecedented policing transition.

害羞草研究所淭hese board members have done an enormous amount of work to get Surrey Police Service to the point it is at today,害羞草研究所� reads a quote attributed to Lipinski. 害羞草研究所淭he work of good governance can be thankless, but strong policies, clear organizational direction, and transparent financial oversight are critical to both the organization and the public. I thank the Surrey Police Board members for their leadership, expertise and resilience, and I look forward to working with them again, once their appointments resume.害羞草研究所�

Lipinski added that he害羞草研究所檚 looking forward to working with Serr.

害羞草研究所淎s an independent Administrator, Mr. Serr will assume all governance duties of the Surrey Police Board, ensuring that the civilian oversight and public accountability of Surrey Police Service will continue. I am confident that Mr. Serr will play a critical role in helping to expedite the policing transition with this streamlining of governance decisions for Surrey Police Service,害羞草研究所� Lipinski said.

On Oct. 13, the City of Surrey with the Supreme Court of British Columbia seeking a judicial review of Farnworth害羞草研究所檚 July 19 order to proceed with the SPS, as the mayor continues to stands firm in the majority of council害羞草研究所檚 intention to stick with the RCMP as Surrey害羞草研究所檚 police of jurisdiction.

The provincial government has yet to file a response to Surrey害羞草研究所檚 petition with the court registry and 害羞草研究所渇or reasons that are privileged害羞草研究所� cannot provide an estimated date. Respondents served in Canada are typically given 21 days to respond.

At Surrey害羞草研究所檚 Oct. 16 council meeting Locke said she instructed city staff to undertake a review of the policing transition, from day one to now.

害羞草研究所淚 want us in Surrey to have a clear understanding of what has transpired over the last five years,害羞草研究所� she said at that meeting.

害羞草研究所淢y position, this council害羞草研究所檚 position, has not changed,害羞草研究所� she said Oct. 16. 害羞草研究所淚 continue to oppose the transition because of the extraordinary cost for Surrey taxpayers that will deliver no public safety benefit.害羞草研究所�