May 10, 2023, Langley, B.C. – Township of Langley Council has voted to deintegrate the Langley RCMP so that Township of Langley community members have a standalone detachment to better serve the needs of this large and fast-growing municipality. This does not mean that the Township of Langley is moving away from the RCMP – it is reaffirming its commitment to the force.
Since 2009, the Township of Langley has funded 33 new police officers to the force, with a planned addition of 10 new officers over the next four years, while the City of Langley has authorized one. When sharing services with another municipality, Township of Langley officers are obligated to respond to calls in the City of Langley. The Township of Langley wants our police officers servicing Township of Langley residents.
“We’ve heard loud and clear from residents that they want to see improved policing in the Township of Langley,” says Mayor Eric Woodward. “We are investing in public safety and the City of Langley is not. It is not fair to Township of Langley residents and taxpayers to have to subsidize policing in another municipality. We need to make a change.”
The Township of Langley has experienced record growth over the last decade, which has created new challenges for the Langley RCMP detachment to serve both the Township of Langley and the City of Langley. With Skytrain coming to the region, and being primarily centered in the City of Langley, this will create an even more complex set of challenges for the region. With nearly 150,000 residents, and still growing, the Township is one of the largest municipalities in B.C. without a police force exclusively serving its residents. The Township of Langley has six distinct urban centres and covers a land mass stretching 316 square kilometres. Meanwhile, the City of Langley has a population less than 30,000 and covers only 10 square kilometres.
“The Langley RCMP are tasked with policing a large geographical area with varying and competing priorities,” says Councillor Barb Martens. “Deintegration of police services will result in faster police responses, policing tailored to the Township of Langley and a prioritizing of our needs. Enhancing public safety is a key priority of this Council.”
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