Amy Reid / Surrey Now
SURREY — The police chief says 20 new cops will arrive at the Surrey RCMP detachment within the next six weeks.
Bill Fordy told the police committee Monday that some cadets were redeployed to Ottawa for two months following the shootings at Parliament Hill that took the life of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, but they are now starting to arrive in Surrey.
“In three to six months they would become essentially suitable and capable of going out by themselves,” Fordy said.
Meanwhile, Fordy is recommending the city not renew a pilot project with BC Commissionaires – 10 armed personnel who patrol but do not carry guns – citing operational and liability issues, but city council says they ease the minds of citizens.
Last October, the police committee endorsed a recommendation to increase the Surrey RCMP from 703 to 803 officers.
The 100 new officers were a Surrey First promise along the campaign trail.
To help pay for the new cops, Surrey is set to raise taxes this year.
