The Surrey Police Board has given Chief Constable Norm Lipinski an ultimatum: resign by Thursday at 4 p.m. or be terminated without cause, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Chief placed on leave after board meeting
Lipinski was placed on leave following a Monday morning meeting with the Surrey police board. He turned in his badge and left police headquarters, a source told Postmedia. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
Deputy Chief Todd Matsumoto has been appointed acting chief effective immediately.
Reasons for ouster unclear
Members of the police board were not available for comment, and it remains unclear why Lipinski is being forced out. Postmedia was also unable to confirm the potential compensation Lipinski could receive if he resigns or is terminated.
Lipinski has served as the first chief of the new municipal force since 2020. He has over 45 years of policing experience, including senior roles at the Delta Police Department, Edmonton Police Service, and as an assistant commissioner of the RCMP.
Political backdrop
The Surrey Police Service (SPS) was initiated by former mayor Doug McCallum and opposed by current Mayor Brenda Locke. Locke campaigned on stopping the transition from the RCMP to a municipal force but was forced to continue by the province. She lost a court challenge in 2024.
Locke has frequently clashed with the force, recently calling on Lipinski and the police board to address rising violence in Surrey. She also criticized the suspension of the gang crime unit and called for a review.
Transition ongoing
The SPS became the police of jurisdiction in November 2024, with a phased transition still underway. The force now controls all town centres except Guildford. When the province ordered an accelerated transition into Cloverdale by April 1, Lipinski requested an extension, which was denied. The force reassigned officers, including from the gang unit, to meet the deadline.
The Surrey Police Service declined to comment, stating it is a matter for the police board. Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said, "It's not for SPS to comment on."
With files from Kim Bolan and Harold Munro.
