Editor:
After the 2018 Surrey City Council voted to replace the RCMP with its own police force, Sol. Gen. Mike Farnworth stated the city had the right and authority to do so, and he would respect their wishes.
After the 2022 election the new city council voted to retain the RCMP.
This time, Mr. Farnworth put things on hold for seven months while he reviewed the issue.
What happened to his pledge to respect the city’s wishes?
The result of his seven-month review was an offer from the province of millions of dollars to Surrey on the condition of a switch to its own police force.
No switch, no money.
What happened to the right and authority the city had over this decision?
What transpired could be considered one level of government bribing another level of government.
The residents are on the sidelines, being left out of one of the biggest decisions that will forever have a huge impact on their lives.
Mr. Farnworth has not given one compelling reason to bypass the residents and deny them input through a referendum.
There is a total lack of leadership on the part of the province on this matter.
Without the residents’ input, there will be a permanent foul odour whenever the topic of policing comes up.
It will become permanently painful for residents to rally around a change in policing that is forced on them.
Out of the ashes there would forever be a stain on the legacy of a Surrey Police force.
Dale Dalton, Surrey