Surrey cuts $47M from police budget despite extortion surge, raising concerns over officer shortages and public safety.
Surrey Faces Police Budget Shock
Surrey is reeling after the Surrey Police Board approved a massive $46.95 million cut to the police budget for 2026, sparking alarm from the police union. The timing has many raising eyebrows, especially after Chief Norm Lipinski warned just a day earlier that the force urgently needs more officers.
“This is reckless,” says Ryan Buhrig, president of the Surrey Police Union. “You can’t ask for more policing, more visibility, and more capacity while simultaneously gutting the resources needed to deliver it.”
Cuts Equivalent to 87 Officers
The union revealed that the budget reduction equals the annual cost of about 87 officers, with each officer averaging $158,510 per year. With Surrey facing an extortion crisis and the police asked to expand into new districts like Cloverdale, the cuts could stretch the force dangerously thin.
Residents may soon wonder if some calls won’t get answered or if key units—like school liaison and mental health teams—will be scaled back. Buhrig urges transparency: “The community should not learn about reductions only after response times rise or proactive patrols drop.”
Extortion Crisis Puts Extra Pressure
Surrey’s extortion cases are climbing, putting extra stress on officers. Since the start of 2026, there have been 53 extortion reports, 11 shootings, two arsons, and 31 victims, 17 of whom were repeat targets.
“The timing of these budget cuts is the worst possible scenario,” Buhrig explains. “Our members are already stretched, and now we’re being asked to take on more districts.”
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has also ramped up enforcement, investigating 296 individuals linked to the crisis. So far, 32 removal orders have been issued, with 10 people already deported.
Mayor Defends the Decision
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, however, supports the budget, saying it balances public safety with keeping taxes manageable. “We are funding exactly the number of officers requested—189 in total,” she says. “Once the police fully understand the budget, I’m confident they’ll see it differently.”
What’s Next for Surrey Residents
With the police budget reduced at a time of rising crime and mounting extortion cases, questions remain about whether Surrey can maintain adequate policing. The union is calling for clear communication from the board about which services may be affected and how residents will be protected.
For now, the city’s residents—and officers—face uncertainty as Surrey navigates this tense intersection of crime, resources, and public safety.
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