Slow pace to Surrey policing transition

SURREY — Canada’s top Mountie says he has yet to see a transition plan as the City of Surrey moves away from the R-C-M-P to a municipal force.

Commissioner Mike Duheme made the remarks yesterday during his first official visit to B-C since being appointed earlier this year.

The B.C. government ordered Surrey to continue its transition to the Surrey Police Service last July, but Duheme says he hasn’t seen any plan or dates indicating when the Mounties may start “drawing down” in the city east of Vancouver.

Several city councillors issued statements yesterday criticizing the lack of action and claiming Mayor Brenda Locke, who campaigned on a promise to keep the RCMP, has been stalling the transition.