The B.C. city was in the midst of replacing the largest RCMP detachment in Canada with a municipal force when the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis led to Black Lives Matter protests around the world
Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum, seen in a Nov. 1, 2018, file photo, said it will be a priority to hire officers who reflect the city’s diversity.One of British Columbia’s largest cities is in a unique position to redefine policing at a time when anti-racism advocates are calling for an overhaul.
McCallum, who also chairs the police board, said it will be a priority to hire officers who reflect the city’s diversity. While the budget for Surrey’s municipal force has not been set, it appears to require broad funding, including for positions outside the police force itself.According to McCallum’s vision, front-line officers would be backed by an increase in bylaw officers, school liaison officers and others.
McCallum is only one voice on the nine-member police board and whether his vision comes to fruition remains to be seen. The mayor said the board plans to meet by the end of July and hire a police chief in August.
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