The head of the Ridge Meadows RCMP detachment has been promoted and will be leaving the community for the BC RCMP's Surrey Provincial Operations Support Team.
Superintendent Wendy Mehat has been the officer-in-charge of the Ridge Meadows detachment for the past four years.
Mehat's new team will oversee the decommissioning of the Surrey RCMP, including the oversight of the remaining RCMP operations to support the Surrey Police Service.
"It has been an amazing four years," said Mehat about her period as officer-in-charge. "We have seen some great times as well as very challenging times."
Insp. Adam Gander noted that during her duration as head of the detachment, Superintendent Mehat was been instrumental in implementing community-focused policing initiatives such as the Ridge Family and Youth Resources Support Team (Ridge FYRST) and Project C.O.R.E. (Community Policing, Outreach, Response and Enforcement).
"Superintendent Mehat’s compassion and strength guided the detachment through a time of immense hardship, the on-duty death of Constable Rick O’Brien, ensuring members and staff had the supports needed to heal together," said Gander, who will act as the detachment's new officer-in-charge until a new one is selected, noting that Mehat's leadership "profoundly" impacted both the detachment and the community.
"While we are sad to see her leave, we are excited for her as she takes on this well-deserved opportunity," added Gander.
Mehat added that Ridge Meadows stands out as being one of the best and most memorable places she has ever worked in.
"It has been an honour to serve the communities of Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and the Katzie First Nation," she said.
As the new chief superintendent in Surrey, Mehat released a message of gratitude and reflection. Returning to Surrey, she said, is a full-circle moment for her.
The transition from Surrey RCMP to the BC RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit, is expected to take two years.
Moving forward, she said, residents can still expect to see front line RCMP officers in Guildford, Cloverdale and South Surrey as they maintain all police operations in those neighbourhoods.
Residents will also continue to see RCMP officers running investigative services for the majority of the city, who will be responsible for serious crimes, criminal collision investigations, drug and gang enforcement investigations.
"Hundreds of Surrey RCMP members will remain in the city, deployed now as members of the Provincial Operations Support Unit," she said, acknowledging the work of the officers and police support staff over the past five years while preparations were being made for the transition.
"Their dedication and service has always been the beating heart of the Surrey RCMP. That dedication will remain at the forefront as we continue this shared responsibility to protect our city and serve our community," noted Mehat.
"Over the coming months, the members of the BC RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (previously Surrey RCMP) will work closely with the Surrey Police Service to ensure continuity in law enforcement operations. Rest assured, both agencies share a commitment to the safety and well-being of our residents," she added.
