Surrey (Rajeev Sharma): Police chief Norm Lipinski says recent shootings in Surrey are “deeply concerning” and reaffirmed that addressing gang violence and organized crime remains a top priority for the Surrey Police Service (SPS). In a detailed statement following recent violent incidents, Chief Lipinski said SPS temporarily reassigned its eight-member Gang Crime Unit to help tackle an unprecedented extortion crisis targeting businesses across Surrey and to manage pressures caused by the accelerated police transition from the RCMP to SPS.
He clarified that the decision was made to respond to immediate public safety threats and “not to diminish gang enforcement.” According to SPS, some Gang Crime Unit officers continue to work on gang-related investigations under Project Assurance alongside the BC Extortion Task Force and the SPS Extortion Response Team. Police say the coordinated enforcement efforts have helped reduce extortion related violence in the region through arrests, ongoing investigations, and public identification of suspects.
SPS is also working with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), with provincial gang enforcement officers currently deployed in Surrey to help combat gang activity and targeted violence. Chief Lipinski stated the Gang Crime Unit is expected to gradually return to regular operations in mid-June once a new group of experienced officers becomes operational, improving staffing capacity within the department. The police chief also revealed he formally requested additional provincial policing resources earlier this year, saying current staffing pressures and growing public safety demands require stronger support from higher levels of government.
“The women and men of SPS continue to respond decisively and professionally to complex and evolving threats,” Lipinski said, adding that long-term success against gang violence depends on coordinated enforcement and adequate resources.
SPS says it remains committed to working with regional and national law enforcement partners to improve safety in Surrey neighbourhoods.
