Surrey police board chair Harley Chappell has resigned, effective immediately, in response to the ousting of former police chief Norm Lipinski. Chappell, who is also chief of Semiahmoo First Nation, sent a resignation letter Tuesday morning (June 2) saying he must resign from his position “with great sadness and disappointment” with the Surrey Police Service board. “The decision to fire Chief Norm Lipinski from his position as chief constable was made during a special meeting that I was not in attendance at,” Chappell wrote in
the letter. “I do not support this motion and feel it to be in violation of our governance policies and provincial police act.” Unfortunately, what is done is done, Chappell continued. “I Harley Chappell, Chair of the Surrey Police board, officially give notice of my resignation, effective immediately. I believe I have gone above and beyond in leading an independent, non-politically influenced board to govern the SPS, unfortunately I feel the political tentacles and pressures have reached far too deeply into our newly formed SPS
board, and I morally and ethically cannot be part of this moving forward.” Chappell expressed his gratitude and thanks to the officers, staff and leadership at the SPS. “It has been my true honor for be part of the largest, most unprecedented police transition in Canadian history,” he concluded.
Harley Chappell, Surrey Police Service board, Norm Lipinski, Semiahmoo First Nation, police chief ousted, governance policies, provincial police act
So they kicked out the chief and then the board chair quit? Wild.
Not gonna lie, this sounds like politics messing with police again. If the chair “wasn’t in attendance” then how come he didn’t stop it? Or am I reading it wrong.
I saw “provincial police act” in here and I’m just thinking… doesn’t that mean the province should handle it, not some board meeting? Either way, “political tentacles” is a weird phrase but I get the vibe. I can’t tell if Lipinski did something wrong or if they just didn’t like him.
Semiahmoo First Nation… so is this related to some funding stuff too? Like police board resignations always feels like money or pressure. Also “ousting” makes it sound dramatic, but the article says governance policies and he “morally and ethically cannot be part” anymore… so he’s mad about the process? Seems convenient to quit immediately right after.