Officer
in Charge, Surrey Detachment
Assistant Commissioner Gary Forbes
A major step in coordinating crime-fighting and RCMP services throughout
the Lower Mainland was announced November 20th with the appointment of
RCMP Assistant Commissioner Gary Forbes as the Officer in Charge (OIC) of
Surrey Detachment.
Bev Busson, RCMP Deputy Commissioner for Pacific Region and Commanding
Officer "E" Division, said her appointment of Forbes to the head
post at Surrey signals the RCMP's strong commitment to fighting crime and
offering police services through a coordinated approach. Forbes is
currently the Lower Mainland District Officer, a position which oversees
all Lower Mainland RCMP Detachments. He will maintain this role in
addition to his new role as the OIC Surrey Detachment.
Busson said the dual role eliminates redundance and is
contributing to a more effective model of service delivery.
"Criminals are not confined by municipal boundaries and RCMP services
are being delivered in a fashion that benefits all municipalities
throughout the Lower Mainland District," she said.
The appointment of Forbes as Detachment Commander at Surrey marks the
first time in Canada that an Assistant Commissioner, one of the highest
ranks within the RCMP, has been appointed to this position. The
Municipality of Surrey contains the largest RCMP Detachment in Canada.
In addition, the posting of Forbes to Surrey is supported by Mayor Doug
McCallum. The Mayor said that, "We are proud to have a person of Gary
Forbes' calibre take on the role of OIC for Surrey Detachment. Our City
and its citizens will be very well served by Gary's strong leadership and
his focus on customer service."
Forbes has a long and distinguished career within the RCMP with over 32
years of service. He has served in a variety of positions B.C. and Canada.
More recently, he was the OIC Kelowna Detachment until 2000, when he was
promoted to A/Comm'r. - B.C. Policing Study and then assumed the position
of Lower Mainland District Commander.