Latest news with #NormLipinski
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Surrey police test biometric scanning of detainees' vital signs in jail cells
SURREY – The Surrey Police Service has begun using live biometric scanners in its jail cells to monitor the health of people being detained. It says in a news release that it began installing the scanners in several adult and youth detention cells in March as part of a pilot project. The release says the radar technology evaluates vibration heartbeat and breathing patterns, allowing staff to monitor vitals and provide timely intervention in the event of a health crisis. It says the technology does not require detainees to wear a monitor, but can detect heartbeat variability and anomalies in breathing through clothing, blankets and even mattresses. The service says other police forces, including the Regina Police Service, Vancouver Police Department, Sarnia Police Service, RCMP F-Division and Winnipeg Police Service, have already implemented similar scanners in their jails. It says the technology, which is provided by a Toronto-based company, comes with a one-time price tag of $36,000 as well as a monthly fee of $1,000 for technical support. Surrey Chief Const. Norm Lipinski says the new approach is a 'more humane and compassionate' way to manage detainees. 'When we invest in the ability to provide an important and potentially life-saving program, not only will it provide comfort to the families of detainees, but also our members,' he says in the release. 'Police detention has always been an area of significant risk for police agencies and, as past inquests have highlighted, we have an obligation to our members and the public to find innovative solutions to ensure people's well-being and prevent any in-custody injuries or deaths.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2025.
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
Surrey police test biometric scanning of detainees' vital signs in jail cells
The Surrey Police Service has begun using biometric scanners in its jail cells to monitor the health of people being detained. It says in a news release that it began installing the scanners in several adult and youth detention cells in March as part of a pilot project. The release says the radar technology evaluates vibration heartbeat and breathing patterns, allowing staff to monitor vitals and provide timely intervention in the event of a health crisis. It says the technology does not require detainees to wear a monitor, but can detect heartbeat variability and anomalies in breathing through clothing, blankets and even mattresses. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The service says other police forces, including the Regina Police Service, Vancouver Police Department, Sarnia Police Service, RCMP F-Division and Winnipeg Police Service, have already implemented similar scanners in their jails. It says the technology, which is provided by a Toronto-based company, comes with a one-time price tag of $36,000 and a monthly fee of $1,000 for technical support. Surrey Chief Const. Norm Lipinski says the new approach is a 'more humane and compassionate' way to manage detainees. 'When we invest in the ability to provide an important and potentially life-saving program, not only will it provide comfort to the families of detainees, but also our members,' he says in the release. 'Police detention has always been an area of significant risk for police agencies and, as past inquests have highlighted, we have an obligation to our members and the public to find innovative solutions to ensure people's well-being and prevent any in-custody injuries or deaths.'
The Province
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Province
Surrey mayor Brenda Locke sends letter to police chief with list of demands
Surrey's mayor Brenda Locke has sent a list of requests to police chief Norm Lipinski to help improve their communication. File photo: Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke in January 2024. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO / PNG Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has sent a letter to the city's police chief asking for changes in how the two communicate. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. 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Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Locke sent Chief Const. Norm Lipinski a letter on June 19 laying out three requests: meetings twice a month between the two, monthly crime statistics showing trends and challenges, and immediate notification when a significant crime has occurred in the city. 'It's just to make sure that when incidents happen, especially significant incidents in the city, I want to be informed about them,' Locke said in a phone interview with Postmedia ahead of a Wednesday afternoon police board meeting where the letter was scheduled to be discussed. 'Norm was already doing that, for the most part, but I just wanted to formalize that. I thought it was important. We need to have a good working relationship, between the chief and I, and I think we're developing that, so this was just to make sure we were on the same page.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. After a lengthy battle with the province, the city of Surrey's police of jurisdiction switched from the RCMP to a municipal force last November, even after the majority of council opposed the decision, including Locke herself. Still in the midst of the transition — which is not expected to be complete until 2027 at the latest — Locke says the city needs to work with the Surrey police as they are here to stay. Harley Chappell, chair of the police board, responded to Locke's letter, requesting a meeting with her to further discuss her demands. Locke said her requests are what she was accustomed to prior to the policing transition. 'This is exactly what I used to do with the RCMP and I've done it on-and-off with Norm in terms of the regular reporting and he's been good and we have a pretty good relationship now and we're developing it more,' she said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'In terms of the police board, they meet only once a month for two hours. I really don't see that day-to-day thing, where we have to react and be ready to react. I don't think we can wait for police boards' decisions on day-to-day issues. But I will say, for all of us, we have to be united, we have to be pulling on the same string when it comes to policing in the city.' Locke's letter comes at a time when the city is seeing numerous extortion attempts at businesses and shootings, although the mayor said these incidents did not inspire her to reach out to the police chief. A request to Lipinski for a response on the letter was deferred to the Surrey police board, which did not respond to Postmedia by press time. With a hiring goal of 860 officers by the end of the policing transition, SPS is getting closer to that number with 552 employed in the municipal police force as of June 30. Read More News News News News News
Vancouver Sun
13-06-2025
- Vancouver Sun
Surrey police vow to tackle extortion threats 'head on'
Concerned that not all victims of an extortion scheme targeting members of B.C.'s South Asian community have come forward, Surrey police are urging anyone who has received threats to contact them. 'It is critical to all of us … that we tackle this trend of extortions head on, with significant police resources and intelligence-led investigative work,' Surrey Police Service Chief Norm Lipinski said Friday. 'It is equally important that we collaborate with the victims and the broader community so we can deal with this issue together.' The extortion scheme, which has been reported in cities across Canada , often involves a letter, phone call or social media message demanding money and threatening violence. The person often references criminal connections and activities outside Surrey, said police. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Over the past six month, there have been 10 reports of extortion attempts in Surrey. But the scheme goes back farther than that, with threats and drive-by shootings first reported in B.C. in 2023. The murder of businessman Satwinder Sharma at his Fleetwood office on Wednesday afternoon has heightened tensions even more. Homicide investigators believe the shooting was targeted, and have not linked it to the extortion scheme. Satish Kumar, another Surrey businessman whose banquet hall was shot at earlier this week after he received a threatening phone call, is helping to organize a public safety forum at Reflections Banquet Hall on Sunday. He said it is important not to give in or the demands will escalate. 'I'm not afraid. The maximum they can do is kill me. I'm ready for that shot, and my family is ready for that shot. What happens, happens. You die one time, what are you going to do?' he told Postmedia on Thursday. Surrey Police will be at the forum, which starts at 2 p.m. They said investigators are working with the RCMP and other regional police agencies with similar investigations and remain in contact with the RCMP national coordination and support team. Surrey Police also has its own extortion investigation team to respond to all reported extortion attempts in parts of Surrey where SPS is leading operations during the police transition. They have also stepped up patrols in business areas. RCMP Chief Supt. Wendy Mehat, the officer in charge of Surrey RCMP during the transition, said police are worried there could be other victims who may have complied with extortion demands. 'We discourage anyone from responding to such demands. Officers are working to prevent these traumatizing situations and to hold those responsible to account,' she said. Surrey journalist Gurpreet Sahota said he has learned that two people came into Sharma's office on the second floor of an office complex near 84 Avenue and 160 Street under the pretence of seeking work. Police responded to an emergency call about a shooting at 3:45 p.m. They found Sharma suffering from life-threatening injuries. He died at the scene. The office complex houses 15 businesses, including a hair salon, dentist and travel agency. Staff in some of the other offices hid under their desks after hearing gunshots. Sahota said he had spoke to a friend of Sharma who confirmed the businessman had been the target of an extortion attempt two years ago, but believed the shooting might not be related. 'Everybody is scared, especially people with money,' Sahota told Postmedia on Thursday. 'It feels like nobody is listening or taking these issues seriously.' Sharma was involved in several B.C. businesses, including Dynamic WorkForce , which claims to be B.C.'s largest provider of farm labour. B.C. employment records show the company is authorized to hire more than 300 employees as a farm labour contractor. In 2024, Sharma was honoured at the South Asian Construction Excellence Awards as best builder of the year in the single-family home category. The company's website says it has completed projects in Maple Ridge, South Surrey, Coquitlam and Mission. Court records also show Sharma was once part-owner of a B.C. sawmill. On Thursday, a police car was parked outside his family's estate in Abbotsford. At one point, dozens of guests arrived, parking at the side of the quiet rural road. Signs on the black wrought-iron gate warned that the premises was protected by video surveillance. Reached by phone, family members declined to speak to Postmedia. gluymes@
Global News
13-06-2025
- Global News
Surrey police launch counter-extortion team amid growing fears
A series of reports of extortion from people and businesses in the South Asian community has prompted a wider investigation by police in Surrey, B.C. The Surrey Police Service says in a statement that it is working with provincial and national RCMP to help in their investigations, as numerous Canadian police agencies have reported similar crimes. Police say they've had 10 complaints over the last six months of people getting letters, phone calls or social media messages demanding money under threats of violence. The service says it has launched its own extortion investigations team and will be attending a public safety forum on Sunday in the city organized by members of the South Asian community. 2:00 Two Delta men arrested in murder of 51-year-old Brampton man Similar extortion threats emerged last year and violence that followed included arsons and shootings, which police in Ontario, Alberta and B.C. said were linked to organized crime in the Indian state of Punjab. Story continues below advertisement Surrey Police Chief Norm Lipinski says it's important to tackle the trend of extortions head-on, but it's equally important to collaborate with victims and the broader community to deal with it together. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy RCMP Chief Supt. Wendy Mehat, with the Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit, says they are concerned there may be more victims who have complied with demands and haven't gone to police. 'We discourage anyone from responding to such demands. Officers are working to prevent these traumatizing situations and to holding those responsible to account.'
