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Feds say Surrey will get its 100 RCMP officers

Ottawa also committed to $3.5 million for Surrey schools' gang prevention program
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Surrey will be getting the 100 additional police officers it ordered, the federal government announced on Tuesday.

Conservative MP for Delta-Richmond East, Kerry-Lynne Findlay,  who was speaking on behalf of Canada's Minister of Public Safety, said Surrey's policing is a top priority and that the city will get the Mounties it requested.

She also announced $3.5 million in new funding over five years for Wrap, the Surrey School District's gang reduction program.

It comes on the heels of a similar announcement by B.C. Premier Christy Clark, who promised $270,000 for Wrap.

The commitment of 100 police officers puts to rest doubts that the RCMP training depot in Regina could train enough police officers for Surrey and the the rest of Canada.

Depot has hit critical lows since 2008. Seven years ago 1,783 cadets had enrolled, with 1,258 graduating. That number dropped to 340 in 2013.

RCMP officials told The Leader last year that number had come back up to 960 in 2014, but is still lower than it was in 2008.

Jinny Sims, NDP MP for Newton-North Delta, said at the time the drop in recruitment numbers does not bode well for Surrey.

“I keep saying – we have a growing city, and more people means a need for more police to keep our streets safe," Sims said. "Of course we need buy-in from Ottawa. The declining number of RCMP graduates is alarming for everyone.”

Findlay did not say when the new Mounties would be arriving in Surrey.