Acting Surrey Police Board chairman Rob Stutt – a Surrey Connect councillor – called a recess to its Wednesday, June 17 meeting after it collapsed in chaos during a public question-and-answer session.
The meeting, fraught with audio cutting in and out, saw directors walk out amid scathing criticism in the wake of former chief constable Norm Lipinski’s ouster followed by the resignations of two directors.
Surrey Police Union president and sergeant Ryan Buhrig told the board police officers “cannot effectively serve this city under a political cloud and this transition has been politicized from the beginning.”
“The politics of this transition have weighed heavily on both our members and their families. Our members have been threatened with losing their jobs, the City refused to find police recruits, the City cut the police budget by $47 million, our members have been attacked on social media they are simply doing their jobs.”
Buhrig said he’s become increasingly concerned about political influence reaching the board itself. “We’ve seen the chief constable terminated without cause; we’ve seen two board members resign within days,” he said. He told the board he’s greatly concerned about a move it made minutes prior “that appears to significantly restrict what a chief constable can say publicly. A chief should be able to speak candidly about issues affecting public safety, even when those arise from decisions from politicians.”
He also question the timing of the results of a financial review of the SPS “being announced immediately before a municipal election, raising questions about timing and perceptions.”
The board announced hours before the meeting it will hire an independent accounting firm to do a financial review of the Surrey Police Service in preparation for the 2027 budget process. The review is expected to be completed by October. The election is set for October 17.
“Our members want politics out of policing,” Buhrig said. “They want to come to work, solve crime, put bad guys in jail and serve the community but this is becoming increasingly difficult when they’re under a persistent political cloud.”
Buhrig noted many of the board members have “close ties” with city hall and asked what specific steps it’s taking to “insulate police officers from the perception of a conflict of interest.”
And then the sound cut out. “Thank you sergeant, we’ll take your question under advisement,” Stutt replied when it came back on. “I’ll remind you that this is not a political forum it is a police board meeting.”
A second speaker said “there are too many political interests on this board.”
“Your opportunity to speak is over,” Stutt told her as she asked director Larry Thomas if he filed the motion to have Lipinski fired.
“I’m not at liberty to discuss that,” Thomas replied.
Stutt then called a recess as she called for the board to provide a “rationale” for the firing.
“Instead of answering questions, they’re going to walk away,” she pointed out.
What followed were calls of “shame” and “boo.”
When the meeting resumed, another speaker told the board he asked how recent developments affects extortion investigations and “front-line safety.”
“You’re off the agenda again, sir,” Stutt replied.
“As an extortion victim, I want to know how this leadership changes affects extortion investigations and front-line safety in Surrey,” the man rejoined.
“Next question please,” Stutt replied. “Want to address that chief?”
Interim Chief C0nstable Todd Matsumoto told the speaker “thank you for your question, it won’t – the transition will not affect Surrey Police response to the extortions or any other crime that are taking place here in Surrey.
“As I said, this leadership change will not delay or impact or interrupt any of our responses to extortions or any other crimes in Surrey.”
The speaker then asked if the board will release a “clear written explanation” why Lipinski was fired.
Stutt replied his question was “out of order.”
And then, it was politicians talking to politicians when Mike Starchuk, mayoral candidate for Imagine Surrey, took the speakers’ mic. He noted police boards are intended to provide a buffer between “political officials and the leadership of non-partisan police departments.”
“My question is, when the budget comes forward again, councillor Stutt, will you be voting on that.”
“Yes, it’s my intention,” Stutt replied.
“Thank your for your enthusiasm, but you’re using up the time we have for this meeting,” Stutt told Starchuk.
A previous speaker returned for another go at the board, calling for its members to “please resign, every single one of you.
“You deserve it,” she said. “The public doesn’t want you.”
The board’s next meeting is set for September 9.