FOI Request and Explanation

Sukhmani Sandhu

12666 72 Avenue 

Surrey, B.C. V3W 2M8

Ph: 604 356 3600

sukhmani.sandhu.56@gmail.com


October 12, 2023


Office of the City Clerk 

Corporate Services

13450 104 Ave. Floor 5E

Surrey, BC V3T 1V8

Ph: 604.591.4372

inforequest@surrey.ca


To the Freedom of Information Analysts, 


Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, please provide me with:


  • A copy of all emails, including the attached documents and/or photographs, between Councilor Doug Elford and Councilor Mandeep Nagra or a member of their office(s), that mention, picture, or discuss the Surrey Police Service, the Surrey Police Board, and/or Mayor Brenda Locke, since April 1, 2023. 


If there are problems releasing some portions of the documents requested, please do not withhold release of all the documents, but instead forward those you can release. 


To avoid photocopying fees, you may provide me these records in PDF format, via email. 


If you have any concerns, please email me at sukhmani.sandhu.56@gmail.com. 


Please advise me when the material is available for release.


Sincerely,

Sukhmani Sandhu


-


Please find the link to the City of Surrey's FOI office's contact information here. I've previously filed a request to their office, which is why I included "Office of the City Clerk" and "Corporate Services," in the address instead of writing to just the City of Surrey. 


-


Explanation


On Sept. 14, 2023 multiple news organizations reported that Surrey Counc. Doug Elford and Mandeep Nagra called for Mayor Brenda Locke to resign as chair of the Surrey Police Board "after she made what they say were disrespectful comments 'to the dedicated men and women of the Surrey Police Service (SPS) and detrimental to the trust and unity for public safety within our community.'” More recently, Elford and Nagra claimed Locke was "intentionally stalling the transition." They released a letter on Oct. 6, 2023, part of which read "It is evident that Mayor Locke's actions are driven by pettiness and vindictiveness rather than the best interests of Surrey taxpayers." 


Elford and Nagra are both a part of the Safe Surrey Coalition, which was former mayor Doug McCallum's party. Elford and Nagra both support the transition from the Surrey RCMP to the SPS, however, Locke ran and was elected on the platform to keep the RCMP in Surrey. 


In April of this year, the city provided the province with a report on policing in Surrey. The report discussed the cost of a full transition to the SPS, and the cost of a transition back to the RCMP. This is why I've chosen to ask for records since April 1, 2023. The Minister of Public Safety, Mike Farnworth has ordered the city to continue with the SPS, however, city council is still undecided on the province's decision.


The Surrey police transition is a very contentious topic, even outside of the city. I requested email records from the councillors because it is more likely they are more blunt, then they would be in public records, including the letters and statements they've made recently. I hope to uncover some personal discussions between Elford and Nagra about the mayor, the Surrey Police Board, and their true and unfiltered opinions about the SPS transition. 


Please feel free to peruse the following links for more up-to-date information about the Surrey Police Transition:

Comments

  1. S SiouOctober 17, 2023 at 9:43 AM

    Wow, this request is put together spectacularly! You can definitely tell you have experience, both with this specific entity and with the process in general. The topic is also potentially super juicy, and not too broad as to inflate costs or put a heavy burden on you. Wonderfully done!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Arshdeep SinghOctober 23, 2023 at 8:19 PM

    The FOI request is well-structured, specifying the information they seek, the relevant timeframe, and potential concerns. This clarity ensures that the recipient can efficiently process their request.

    To improve the request, you might offer a more concise explanation, summarizing their interest in obtaining these records, and acknowledge the potential redaction of sensitive personal data without delving into specifics. This would make the request even more straightforward and reader-friendly. Wonderfully done!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousOctober 23, 2023 at 11:46 PM

    This is a very well organized FOI request that is asking for the correct information with the perfect amount of detail.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Felix LamOctober 24, 2023 at 1:28 AM

    Hey Sukhmani, you handled the filing of an FOI request for emails between councillors regarding police issues in Surrey well. Your explanation of the police transition issue in your city provides useful background. Also, requesting information within a specific, narrow timeframe is a smart move. My advice would be to use more neutral and personal critical points in the explanation part of your request, alongside news coverage. Using more personal points when explaining can make your request look more professional. Overall, by obtaining emails to analyze and expose the views of two Surrey city councillors on the mayor and Surrey Police, you can understand the councillors' perspectives.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Leslie PhamOctober 24, 2023 at 1:37 AM

    Great effort on your research. I really like the way you link every piece of information together and make such a complicated topic easy to follow. One thing I wish that would be clearer is the urgency of this process of transition. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to what this request will obtain.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Harmandeep GuronOctober 24, 2023 at 8:36 AM

    Excellent work. Your request is well-detailed, specifying the information sought and provides a clear explanation of why the request is being made, which is to uncover candid discussions related to the Surrey police transition. Good work!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gursevak SrahOctober 24, 2023 at 10:02 AM

    Great job. The explanation for your request was very clear and thorough. Your request idea is interesting as i had no idea that all this was happening. The result of your request would definitely be very important in that ongoing issue.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sunkaran SinghOctober 24, 2023 at 3:06 PM

    This foi request is really well thought. The request contains enough detail and the reason for asking is also explained well.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Navneet KaurOctober 24, 2023 at 5:12 PM

    Good effort. The FOI is well explained and well structured. The request has enough details and is explaining everything well.

    ReplyDelete

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