Brenda Locke must answer questions and be transparent with voters: Bilal Cheema
Surrey First council candidate and former Surrey Police Board member Bilal Cheema wants Mayor Brenda Locke to give Surrey residents straight answers following a BC Supreme Court filing by former Surrey Police Service Chief Constable Norm Lipinski challenging his termination.
Lipinski says his termination was driven by political considerations and was not carried out in accordance with the Police Act or the Board’s governance requirements.
“These are serious allegations and supported by sworn evidence,” said Cheema. “They go directly to the independence and integrity of policing in Surrey, and Brenda Locke must be transparent with Surrey residents.”
In September 2023, while chairing the Surrey Police Board, Locke publicly stated that she had lost confidence in Chief Lipinski and the police board. The board publicly pushed back, calling her comments unwarranted and expressing its confidence in the chief.
According to the court filing, in August 2024 Locke allegedly told an SPS member that “we need to get rid of Chief Lipinski.”
CLICK HERE TO SEE COURT DOCUMENTS
In October 2025, the Surrey Police Board renewed Lipinski’s contract for another three years, describing the decision as a clear expression of its confidence in his leadership.
Then the board changed.
According to Lipinski’s filing, four of the five board members appointed in 2026 had been recommended by the City of Surrey, with their resumes submitted directly to the provincial government without an open posting or competition.
Months later, Lipinski was terminated.
“What changed?” asked Cheema. “How does a chief go from receiving a three-year contract and the confidence of his board to being removed just a few months later? What role did the mayor, her office or city hall play?
“Brenda Locke spent years fighting the Surrey Police Service. She publicly said she had lost confidence in its chief. Now Norm Lipinski is before the BC Supreme Court. Surrey residents have every right to ask whether those things are connected.”
Cheema, who served on the Surrey Police Board, said the independence of police governance must be protected regardless of who occupies the mayor’s office.
“I served on this Board,” explained Cheema. “I understand where the line is between political leadership and independent police governance. That line exists for a reason. The mayor does not run the police department. Political interests should never determine who serves as chief constable.”
Cheema said Locke should state publicly whether she, her office or senior city staff had any discussions or communications with police board members concerning Lipinski’s future, performance or termination.
“Did Brenda Locke, her office or city hall attempt to influence the removal of Norm Lipinski?”
Cheema said the issue ultimately comes down to public trust. Cheema and Surrey First candidate for mayor Linda Annis said accountability also extends to those who supported Locke’s approach at city hall.
“When you stand behind a mayor’s decisions, you accept responsibility for them,” said Annis. “Mayor Locke and those who supported her must answer directly, support disclosing the facts, and demonstrate that Surrey’s police service was truly independent.”
“The court will determine the legal issues. And Surrey residents will make their own judgment about Brenda Locke’s leadership, credibility and accountability,” added Cheema. “Before Surrey votes, we all deserve the facts.”