Fired Surrey police chief Norm Lipinski sues to reverse his termination
The former chief argues his dismissal was unlawful and politically motivated, filing a petition in B.C. Supreme Court.
Explainer
Former Surrey police chief Norm Lipinski has filed a legal petition asking the B.C. Supreme Court to reverse his dismissal.
Lipinski was abruptly terminated by the Surrey Police Board on June 1, less than 10 weeks after the province replaced five members of the board.
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His petition, filed Monday, alleges the firing was unlawful and motivated by "extraneous political considerations, disconnected from Chief Lipinski's conduct or competence."
"The purported actions of the board or members of the board are unlawful and fundamentally undermine the independence of the chief constable," the petition states.
What does the petition allege about political interference?
The court documents claim Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, elected in 2022 on a pledge to reverse the transition to a municipal police force, sought to have Lipinski removed.
It alleges that in 2023, Locke met with the then-administrator of the police board and "expressed that she did not like that Chief Lipinski was the Chief Constable of the SPS, and was unhappy with Chief Lipinski's [spouse]."
The petition further claims Locke told an SPS member in August 2024 that "we need to get rid of Chief Lipinski" as "he is the real problem."
A statement from Locke's party, Surrey Connect, said the mayor and the city "have no say in decisions related to staffing at the Surrey Police Service."
None of the claims in the petition have been proven in court.
What legal arguments is Lipinski making?
Lipinski's petition argues that under B.C.'s Police Act and common law, a police chief holds an independent office and cannot be dismissed without cause or procedural protections.
"Despite the board's supervisory authority over the [chief constable] … there is no statutory provision that gives the board the authority to terminate the chief constable without cause," it states.
The petition seeks a declaration that the contractual provisions used to fire him are "void and of no effect" because they are subordinate to provincial law.
It also argues the board failed to follow its own governance framework, including holding a proper special meeting convened by the chair.
In an affidavit, former board chair Harley Chappell alleges he was told there would be "no substantive business or decision-making" at the meeting where Lipinski was terminated, and he was not present.
What was in Lipinski's termination letter?
The petition includes excerpts from the termination letter delivered to Lipinski on June 1.
It offered him 18 months of his $375,000 annual salary, amounting to $562,500, as severance.
The letter offered an additional three months of salary, nearly $94,000, if he agreed to the termination and to characterize his departure as a retirement, resignation, or move to other opportunities.
He had three days to agree to the confidential conditions to receive the extra money.
The letter stated the board's decision was based on issues with overall management, gaps in leadership affecting morale, challenges in meeting strategic objectives, and financial management.
When Lipinski was terminated, the board initially declined to provide a reason, though a new board member later said it was to "take the leadership in the new direction."
How has the police board responded?
In a statement, the Surrey Police Board said it is aware of the petition and is reviewing the matter.
"The Board is reviewing and considering the matter and will respond in the normal course," the statement reads.
"Because this matter involves a former employee and is before the Court, the Board will not be commenting publicly."
The board said its top priorities remain public safety and recruiting a new chief constable.
The petition notes Lipinski underwent more than half a dozen performance reviews, including an external review in May 2025, all of which "were exceptional."
He had his contract extended for three years in October 2025.
The court petition comes less than three weeks before a municipal election where Locke is seeking re-election.
With files from CBC News, Global News and CityNews