Surrey Police Chief Lipinski Out, Board Chair Resigns, June 03

The Surrey Police Service lost its chief and board chair in a single day on June 2. The board fired Chief Const. Norm Lipinski at a meeting he did not attend, giving him until June 4 to resign or be terminated without cause. Board chair Harley Chappell resigned immediately after, saying the decision violated governance rules and was driven by politics. Deputy Chief Const. Todd Matsumoto took over as interim chief.

How Lipinski Was Removed

The Surrey Police Board made the decision to fire Lipinski at a special meeting on June 1 that he did not attend. According to the Vancouver Sun, Lipinski was given until June 4 at 4 p.m. to resign or face termination without cause. The board did not state a reason for the removal. Lipinski had served as chief since November 2020 and had his contract renewed for three years in October 2025 with an option for two additional years.

Board Chair’s Resignation and Governance Concerns

Harley Chappell, the board chair and elected chief of Semiahmoo First Nation, resigned on June 2 in protest. Chappell said he was assured the June 1 meeting would be for information only and did not attend due to other commitments. He later learned the board made the firing decision at that meeting. In his resignation letter, Chappell stated the decision violated governance policies and the provincial Police Act. He wrote: “I feel the political tentacles and pressures have reached far too deeply into our newly formed SPS board.”

Political Backlash and Leadership Transition

Surrey councillors and mayoral candidates Linda Annis and Mike Starchuk criticized Mayor Brenda Locke, accusing her of political interference. Annis said the ouster raised troubling questions about Locke’s opposition to the police transition, now in its eighth year. Mayor Locke thanked Lipinski for his service and expressed confidence in interim Chief Todd Matsumoto. The Surrey Police Union said it had not received formal notification of Lipinski’s departure and was seeking answers about staffing and operational concerns.

What Comes Next

Deputy Chief Matsumoto, who acknowledged Lipinski’s 47 years of policing service, committed to maintaining focus on public safety. The board will begin a recruitment process for a permanent chief. SPS has 685 police officers and 513 civilian staff. The leadership disruption comes as Surrey faces ongoing challenges with extortion-related violence targeting the South Asian community and gang-related shootings. The board stated it remains focused on protecting public safety during the transition.

Final Thoughts

Lipinski’s removal and Chappell’s resignation expose governance fractures at the Surrey Police Board during a critical police transition. The lack of transparency and alleged political pressure undermine public confidence in police leadership at a time when the city faces serious crime challenges.

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