The abrupt departure of Surrey Police Service Chief Const. Norm Lipinski, just 18 months after the force was set to take over from the RCMP, has raised eyebrows among experts who say such a move is highly unusual without evidence of misconduct or mismanagement.
Abrupt Removal Without Explanation
Lipinski, who was appointed in November 2020 to lead the historic transition from the RCMP to an independent municipal police force in British Columbia's second-largest city, was given an ultimatum by the Surrey police board: resign by Thursday at 4 p.m. or be terminated without cause. He is now out, and the board has offered no reason for his removal.
Harley Chappell, the board's chairman and chief of the Semiahmoo First Nation, resigned in protest, stating he was not present at the meeting where the decision was made.
Political Interference Concerns
Curt Griffiths, a professor emeritus of criminology at Simon Fraser University, described the decision as "quite ominous" for policing legitimacy. "With no explanation, it raises the question whether this is a political decision—a continuation of a political fight that started years ago," he said. Politicization can undermine public confidence, he added, especially as the transition appeared to be progressing well.
Background of the Transition
The move to replace the RCMP with the Surrey Police Service began over six years ago and has been fraught with political battles. In 2022, Mayor Brenda Locke campaigned on a promise to retain the RCMP, reversing the decision of former mayor Doug McCallum. An 18-month fight ended in 2024 when Locke and council agreed to a $250-million provincial deal to assist with transition costs, after losing a B.C. Supreme Court bid to block the change.
Currently, the SPS has hired 659 officers, short of the authorized 835. The force covers four of five policing districts, with the RCMP still handling Guildford-Fleetwood. The RCMP declined to say how many officers they have in Surrey.
Lipinski's contract was renewed for three years in October 2025, with an option for a two-year extension, making his sudden exit all the more surprising.
