She says he's a hypocrite for signing off on Surrey's police transition while asking for more officers of his own

Brenda Locke says it's a double standard for Palmer to argue for additional funding to hire more VPD officers

SURREY (NEWS 1130) – A Surrey city councillor is lashing out at Vancouver’s police chief, calling him a “hypocrite” for supporting the police transition and fewer officers in Surrey.

The Vancouver Police Department is currently looking to garner additional funding and staff, but when it comes to Surrey’s transition, Brenda Locke says VPD Chief Adam Palmer signed off on the reduction in officers.

The Surrey Police Transition Plan was put together by the City of Vancouver, the City of Surrey, the VPD and consultants.

Locke says it’s a double standard for Palmer to argue for additional funding to hire more VPD officers while simultaneously recommending cuts in Surrey.

Surrey Councillor @brendalockebc to VPD Chief Adam Palmer; “drop the double standard”. Locke says Palmer signed off on Surrey’s Police Plan, which calls for fewer boots on the ground. BUT at the same time, Palmer is arguing for additional funding and staff at the VPD. @NEWS1130 — Tarnjit Parmar (@Tarnjitkparmar) December 5, 2019

“Obviously, Vancouver sees Surrey as its poor cousin and we can put up with less and they can ask for more. I think it was disrespectful to our RCMP that worked so hard. It was pretty offensive, to be frank.”

She says the VPD wouldn’t stand for fewer officers if the positions were reversed.

“It’s a little rich when the chief is asking in Vancouver for significantly more officers but for whatever reason, for Surrey, they recommend less officers,” Locke says.

Locke says when it comes to public safety, Surrey can’t afford to be left behind. “Obviously Vancouver sees Surrey as its poor cousin. We can put up with less and they can ask for more. I think it’s disrespectful to our RCMP. It was pretty offensive to be frank.” @NEWS1130 — Tarnjit Parmar (@Tarnjitkparmar) December 5, 2019

“So everything in [the report], they have to take responsibility for and one of the things that is absolutely glaring in the report is the lack of fiscal accountability,” she says.

Earlier this week, Palmer spoke to Vancouver city council, saying the VPD needs 35 additional staff members to deal with what he calls “years of under-investment.”

Locke argues Surrey is three times the size of Vancouver, the police report was done without public consultation, and fewer officers will put public safety at risk.