Surrey Police Service will assume full Cloverdale policing in April 2026, balancing public safety amid ongoing extortion investigations.
Surrey Police Prepares for Next Phase of Transition
Since November 29, 2024, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) has steadily expanded its operations across the city. Starting in Whalley/City Centre and Newton, the service successfully transitioned policing responsibilities in South Surrey during 2025. Meanwhile, the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit continues to manage Guildford and Cloverdale under a phased plan.
Now, attention turns to Cloverdale, marking the next major step in Surrey’s policing transition.
Cloverdale Transition: What Residents Can Expect
SPS initially planned a staged takeover of Cloverdale: the south side in April 2026 and the north side in July 2026. In total, approximately 70 police officers are required to provide comprehensive coverage for the area. Every transition phase is carefully guided by operational data, recruitment progress, and the hiring of experienced officers to ensure that residents receive a full level of service from day one.
Chief Constable Norm Lipinski emphasised that SPS is committed to delivering reliable and responsive policing, even as the city faces complex challenges.
Extortion Crisis Delays Resources
Over the past six months, Surrey has experienced an unprecedented extortion crisis. Tackling this serious issue required redeploying over 40 SPS officers to specialised investigative teams. While essential for public safety, this redeployment has affected the service’s capacity to staff new areas fully.
“This has been a critical operation to protect our community,” said Chief Lipinski. “However, it also means we need to carefully balance resources before expanding into Cloverdale.”
Revised Timeline and Provincial Direction
Recognizing these challenges, SPS recommended delaying the phased Cloverdale transition by about four months. The revised plan would have allowed officers to maintain strong response levels across Surrey while continuing essential investigations. This proposal was presented to the Province of British Columbia through multiple meetings, detailed briefings, and formal correspondence.
Despite these recommendations, Chief Lipinski was informed by the Director of Policing and Law Enforcement Services that SPS is expected to assume full responsibility for all of Cloverdale on April 1, 2026.
Chief Lipinski Prioritizes Public Safety
Chief Lipinski highlighted that his primary responsibility is ensuring any transition maintains adequate staffing to meet community expectations. With significant investigative resources still dedicated to the extortion files, he emphasised careful planning is essential.
“Our focus remains clear: we must provide effective policing while ensuring Surrey residents continue to receive the service they deserve,” he said.
Ongoing Discussions with Key Stakeholders
SPS is actively engaging with the Province, the Surrey Police Board, unions, and legal counsel to navigate the transition. While the April 1 takeover date is confirmed, Chief Lipinski noted that updates will follow once discussions conclude.
This collaborative approach ensures that operational challenges, staffing needs, and community safety concerns are fully considered before and after the transition.
Maintaining Service Levels Amid Challenges
The Cloverdale transition underscores the balancing act SPS faces: expanding service coverage while responding to city-wide emergencies. By redeploying officers to address the extortion crisis, SPS demonstrates a commitment to tackling serious crime while still planning for long-term policing improvements.
“Effective policing requires careful resource management,” said Lipinski. “We are determined to ensure residents receive consistent, reliable service even during challenging periods.”
Looking Ahead
As Surrey moves forward with the police transition, the community can expect a proactive, data-driven approach to law enforcement. SPS continues to focus on recruitment, operational readiness, and building trust within neighbourhoods, ensuring that every area of the city receives attentive and effective policing.
Residents of Cloverdale can anticipate the full integration of SPS on April 1, 2026, and the department is committed to providing updates as plans are finalized.
Chief Lipinski concluded: “Our mission is to safeguard Surrey, provide excellent service, and maintain public confidence. The next phase in Cloverdale is just one step in delivering on that promise.
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