SURREY — Surrey's top cop Bill Fordy is moving on.
Assistant Commissioner Fordy has been named the new Lower Mainland District Commander for the BC RCMP and will continue to be in charge of the Surrey RCMP until a new officer in charge is selected to replace him.
In his new job Fordy will still be at RCMP headquarters in Surrey, overseeing 13 detachments, including Surrey, in 29 Lower Mainland communities ranging from Pemberton to the U.S. border and from the Sunshine Coast to the Coquihalla Highway.
"I am excited to take on this new position with the BC RCMP where I can continue to enhance public safety and expand the RCMP's role in community engagement throughout the Lower Mainland District," Fordy said. "Surrey will always have a special place in my heart and I assure the citizens of Surrey that, during this period of transition, I am committed to ensuring there is continuity and strong leadership at Surrey detachment."
Fordy has been in charge of the Surrey RCMP since June 2012. Sergeant Alanna Dunlop said it's not yet known when his replacement will be named or when that person will take over.
"I don't think we can attach a specific time frame to that," she said.
Fordy's replacement will be in charge of 804 Mounties.
In his new role, Fordy will oversee more than 2,500 RCMP officers and 900 support workers serving roughly 1.8 million residents.
Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner said Fordy's promotion is "well served and well earned.
"Many of the issues that Surrey faces are regional in scope and having Bill in charge of the Lower Mainland District is not only welcome, but advantageous," she said. "It is important to note, until a new replacement is fully in place Assistant Commissioner Fordy will continue to lead the Surrey RCMP."
tom.zytaruk@thenownewspaper.com