Surrey, B.C., mayor-elect says police board should be fired as new chief appointed

The Surrey Police Service has its new chief, and it's the man who's been doing the job in an interim capacity since June.

A new police chief has been appointed in Surrey, B.C., after the former chief was ousted amid a political firestorm that triggered resignations among the city’s police board.

Todd Matsumoto was named the city’s top cop on Friday after serving as interim Surrey Police Service chief following the removal of former chief Norm Lipinski in June.

“I’m very proud and excited to take on this leadership challenge,” Matsumoto said. “And I’m really excited about moving this forward and getting on with the job.”

Matsumoto said continuing efforts to combat extortion in the city will be a top priority, as will completing Surrey’s transition away from the RCMP—a process he assured would be completed next year.

The Surrey Police Board said an outside firm conducted a nationwide search for Lipinski’s replacement, soliciting engagement from the community before the board appointed Matsumoto, who had previously served as deputy police chief.

“He was absolutely the best candidate for the job,” said board chair Perm Jawanda on Friday. “We want him to bring stability to not only all of our front-line officers and civilian staff, but also to the community. He brings a great approach to relationship-building, and that’s what we need.”

But the appointment drew a sharp rebuke from the city’s incoming mayor, who urged the province to fire the entire police board Friday.

In a statement, mayor-elect Doug McCallum accused the police board of acting as “political cronies” of outgoing mayor Brenda Locke.

“Her board picked Surrey’s police chief behind closed doors so the council that replaced her would have no say,” McCallum said. “That is not civilian oversight. That is one last kick at Surrey on her way out the door.”

Matsumoto has three decades of senior leadership experience in policing and public safety, the board said.

Previous chief seeking review

Last month, Lipinski requested a judicial review of his firing as police chief, accusing former mayor Brenda Locke of undermining him and ultimately forcing him out of the role.

His removal was followed by the resignations of police board chair Harley Chappell and director James Carwana just days later.

Asked about the review process Friday, Matsumoto said his appointment is “permanent.”

“I think the community and our employees here deserve stability in that,” he added.

The city’s police union also expressed support for Matsumoto’s appointment, with president Sgt. Ryan Buhrig describing him as a “strong leader” who members “know and trust.”

“He really listens to the concerns of our membership,” Buhrig said. “He cares about police wellness, he cares about community wellness.”

The union president also echoed remarks from both Jawanda and Matsumoto that the appointment will “provide stability.”

In his statement, McCallum said that while he supports Matsumoto leading the police department, he does not have confidence in the police board.

“Surrey wants a police board that answers to the law, not to any mayor, including me,” he said.

McCallum and the new Surrey council are expected to be sworn in on Monday, Nov. 2.

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Shannon Paterson