Previously secret report into Surrey’s transition from RCMP to municipal police force appears to back mayor’s claim on costs

A previously secret consultant’s report into Surrey’s transition from the RCMP to a new municipal police force appears to back the mayor’s claim that the transition will pose significant and continuing extra costs for taxpayers in the B.C. city because so many extra officers will need to be hired.The report, commissioned by the provincial government, was only available to Surrey city councillors last year if they signed nondisclosure statements promising not to discuss it publicly.The provincial government is imposing the change on the city over the objections of Surrey’s current mayor and council. After being elected in 2022, they voted to reverse the previous council’s support for a new force.