Surrey police board chair Harley Chappell has resigned, effective immediately, in response to the ousting of former police chief Norm Lipinski.

Chappell, who is also chief of Semiahmoo First Nation, sent a resignation letter Tuesday morning (June 2) saying he must resign from his position “with great sadness and disappointment” with the Surrey Police Service board.

“The decision to fire Chief Norm Lipinski from his position as chief constable was made during a special meeting that I was not in attendance at,” Chappell wrote in the letter. “I do not support this motion and feel it to be in violation of our governance policies and provincial police act.”

Unfortunately, what is done is done, Chappell continued.

“I Harley Chappell, Chair of the Surrey Police board, officially give notice of my resignation, effective immediately. I believe I have gone above and beyond in leading an independent, non-politically influenced board to govern the SPS, unfortunately I feel the political tentacles and pressures have reached far too deeply into our newly formed SPS board, and I morally and ethically cannot be part of this moving forward.”

Chappell expressed his gratitude and thanks to the officers, staff and leadership at the SPS.

“It has been my true honor for be part of the largest, most unprecedented police transition in Canadian history,” he concluded.