Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum under investigation for public mischief

SURREY (NEWS 1130) — Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum is being investigated by the RCMP for a potential public mischief charge.

There are questions about a report McCallum gave police officers about an incident in a grocery store parking lot last month, where he alleged someone from a pro-RCMP group drove their car over his foot.

Sources tell CityNews the Sept. 5 incident was captured on surveillance video. On that day, McCallum released a statement to the media alleging he was “verbally assaulted” and “run over by a vehicle” while shopping at a Save On Foods. Soon after, Mounties confirmed they were investigating. A spokesperson for “Keep the RCMP in Surrey” described McCallum’s allegations as false, saying the mayor was the antagonist in the situation.

Coun. Jack Hundial says McCallum should step down.

“Well, I think it’s very obvious. I think any elected official who faces the scrutiny of not telling the truth does need to step down and re-evaluate why they are still in public office because the public trust is a huge piece,” he says.

“People expect and demand that their politicians are not out there lying.”

The investigation into the incident at the Save On Foods in September is being overseen by a special prosecutor “in light of the nature of the allegations, the Mayor’s position as a
public official in a senior position of authority, and the ongoing public discussion about the change from the RCMP to a municipal police force in Surrey.”

On Thursday, McCallum was reportedly at city hall in his office on the sixth floor. He refused to comment after multiple, persistent requests to his media team. Instead, a statement was sent by email.

“The Mayor will not be commenting,” it read.

Coun. Brenda Locke said the mayor’s unavailability has been an ongoing issue.

“I can’t predict or judge what the mayor is going to do in terms of his media availability. Certainly, that has been a challenge in the past. And so we’re seeing that probably today.”

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Surrey is currently in the process of transitioning from the RCMP to a municipal force – a move that was a key part of McCallum’s election campaign and which continues to divide the community and city council. Both Hundial and Locke oppose replacing the RCMP, and continue to demand a halt to the transition saying the move is opposed by the majority of residents, lacks transparency, and is too expensive.

Some residents are also trying to stop the transition, with a group called The Surrey Police Vote Initiative trying to get enough signatures to hold a referendum. Soon after McCallum made his allegations about the grocery store incident, this group filed a complaint with Elections BC accusing McCallum of intimidation and interference with their effort to gather signatures.

Meantime McCallum and his Safe Surrey Coalition have been moving ahead with setting up the Surrey Police Service. A chief has been hired, recruitment is ongoing, and the first officers are set to start on patrol this fall. McCallum promised the Surrey Police Service would be up and running by spring of 2021, but the police transition will not be complete until some time in 2023.

Last month, McCallum and his slate voted to bar some “individuals” from attending in-person council meetings due to “harassment.” At the time, Locke said all seven people named were supporters of the campaign to keep the RCMP in Surrey.

RELATED: Surrey mayor, supporters bar some residents from council meetings

The next civic election is set for October of 2022. Locke has announced her plans to run for mayor. The first plank in her platform is putting a stop to the transition. McCallum has also announced he plans to run for re-election.

Hundial says the news of a mischief investigation should give voters pause.

“Certainly with close to a year left of an election coming up here, people will be able to make their choices about who they want to see move their city forward in a very positive direction.”