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The fallout from the dismissal of Surrey’s police chief continued Thursday, with the resignation of another member of the city’s police board.
Surrey Police Board executive director Jason Kuzminski confirmed that James Carwana has stepped down, but declined to comment further.
On Tuesday, the police board revealed that former police chief Norm Lipinski was no longer with the Surrey Police Service (SPS).
That same day, Harley Chappell resigned as the police board’s chair in protest, saying the decision to remove Lipinski had come at a special May 29 meeting, and that he had not been in attendance.
WATCH | Board chair resigns after Surrey police chief ousted:
Surrey police chief Norm Lipinski out, board chair resigns
There’s been a dramatic leadership change at the Surrey Police Service. Chief Const. Norm Lipinski has left the force but few details surrounding his departure have been made public. As the CBC’s Jon Hernandez reports, the police board chair also resigned citing frustrations over political tensions.
CBC News has been unable to reach Carwana for comment.
Carwana, a mediator and arbitrator, has served on Surrey’s police board since it was founded in 2020.
In a letter sent to Surrey Police Union members, Lipinski said he was terminated without cause. CBC News has confirmed the letter was received by members on Wednesday.
“While this is not the way I hoped my time with the Surrey Police Service would come to an end, I leave with immense pride in what we have accomplished together under extraordinarily challenging circumstances,” the letter reads.
WATCH | Ousted Surrey police chief pens letter for officers:
Former Surrey Police Chief sends letter to former officers after departure
Former Surrey Police Chief sends letter to former officers after departure
The Surrey Police Board announced that Lipinski had “left” the SPS in a brief news release on June 2 that did not provide reasons for his exit.
CBC News has repeatedly tried to contact every Surrey Police Board member who was at the meeting where Lipinski’s dismissal was decided.
Board members Perm Jandawa and Archie Johnston declined to comment, while the other board members have not responded to interview requests.
Deputy Chief Const. Todd Matsumoto has been appointed interim chief of the SPS.
The police board has said it will soon begin the recruitment process for a new permanent chief.