A message of gratitude and reflection from Chief Superintendent Wendy Mehat

Surrey

2024-11-29 08:55 PST

As we prepare to transition from the Surrey RCMP to the BC RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit, on behalf of the municipal employees and RCMP officers, I want to take a moment to express our collective gratitude for the opportunity to serve this community.

As the new Officer-in-Charge, returning to Surrey is a full-circle moment forme. I started my career here in 2000, as a patrol Constable in Whalley. It is an immense honour to return the team here; a team which has always been dedicated to the safety and well-being of its residents. My heartfelt appreciation to Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards and the Senior Leadership team for their exceptional leadership over these past few years.

When the Surrey RCMP was first created in 1951, Surrey wasn’t yet a City, much more of a quiet suburb, with rolling farmland and small, family-run businesses. The Surrey RCMP team was also much smaller; fifteen constables patrolled the area for a salary of $210 per month. We have watched Surrey grow into the vibrant, bustling urban centre we all love. With considerable growth and increases in population, the team at the detachment also grew, to over 1,000 officers and staff to become the largest detachment in the country.

The Surrey detachment has been extremely fortunate to receive immense support and collaboration from community leaders and partner agencies throughout our time here, far too many to thank individually. By working together, the teams made significant strides in addressing local challenges, through joint initiatives like Block Watch or shared resources like the Safer School and Wrap programs. Be it community townhalls, combatting retail theft or planning and supporting the City’s events, these partnerships have been invaluable to us. It has been a great privilege for each of us to serve and support all of you, from South Surrey, to Newton, Cloverdale, Guildford, Fleetwood and Whalley/City Centre.

It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the five fallen RCMP officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to the City of Surrey. We are forever indebted to Constable John Baldwinson, Constable Terrance Draginda, Constable Archille Lepine, Constable Roger Pierlet and Constable Adrian Oliver. They remain in our hearts and minds and we will never forget their service and sacrifice.

Moving forward, you can still expect to see Frontline RCMP officers in Guildford, Cloverdale and South Surrey as we maintain all police operations in those neighbourhoods. You will also continue to see RCMP officers running Investigative Services for the majority of the city. These officers will maintain the responsibility for serious crimes, criminal collision investigations, drug and gang enforcement investigations. Hundreds of Surrey RCMP members will remain in the city, deployed now as members of the Provincial Operations Support Unit.

I want to recognize the officers and police support staff for their vital support and unwavering professionalism over the past five years as preparations were made for this transition. Their dedication and service has always been the beating heart of the Surrey RCMP. That dedication will remain at the forefront as we continue this shared responsibility to protect our city and serve our community.

This transition is expected to last over the next two years. Over the coming months, the members of the BC RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (previously Surrey RCMP) will work closely with the Surrey Police Service to ensure continuity in law enforcement operations. Rest assured, both agencies share a commitment to the safety and well-being of our residents. Many of our officers live in the city with their families, we are and will stay active participants in the greater community.

We understand that change can be difficult and our new BC RCMP team is dedicated to serving in the city as we have for the past 72 years. We are committed to continue to offer the same level of service, professionalism and community engagement that our residents expect. Our team of officers remains the same, now with a new name.

Thank you, residents, for allowing us to serve you. It has been our greatest honour.

Chief Superintendent Wendy Mehat
Officer in Charge
Surrey RCMP Provincial Operations Support Unit

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