Todd Matsumoto has been appointed chief constable of the Surrey Police Service, giving the city’s municipal police force permanent leadership as it continues to establish its place in Surrey’s public-safety system.
The Surrey Police Board made the appointment effective Oct. 30, 2026, following a national search conducted with the assistance of an executive search firm. The selection process included discussions with community members and other stakeholders about the challenges facing the service and the qualities sought in its next leader.
A permanent appointment during organizational change
Matsumoto had served as the service’s interim chief constable since June 2026. According to the Surrey Police Service, his interim tenure came at a time of substantial organizational change. The service credited him with helping provide stability, improving relationships and contributing to the renewal of a collective agreement with the Surrey Police Union.
His appointment places that recent work within a longer-term leadership mandate. Matsumoto has more than 30 years of experience in municipal policing and public safety, and has held senior roles in several major initiatives in the history of the Surrey Police Service. The board said his background and approach made him the appropriate person to continue building what it described as a modern and effective service for Surrey residents.
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| June 2026 | Matsumoto becomes interim chief constable |
| Oct. 29, 2026 | The police board’s appointment is announced |
| Oct. 30, 2026 | Appointment takes effect |
Focus on transparency and community ties
Matsumoto said he was honoured to continue serving and leading the organization. He identified the service’s employees and its connection with the community as its strongest assets, and said his priorities would continue to include openness, reliable communication and leadership grounded in relationships.
“Its greatest strengths are its people and its relationship with the community.”
Those priorities come as the Surrey Police Service continues to build public confidence while managing the practical demands of a developing organization. The board’s search consultations were intended to bring community and stakeholder perspectives into the leadership decision, linking the chief constable’s mandate to concerns and expectations gathered during the process.
Board chair Perm Jawanda said the board was confident Matsumoto could lead the service as it works toward that goal. The appointment also received support from the Surrey Police Union. Union president Sgt. Ryan Buhrig said the union considered Matsumoto the right choice and viewed the decision as a positive indication for the future of the service.
What comes next for Surrey’s police service
With the appointment now in effect, Matsumoto will lead the next phase of the service’s development on a permanent basis. His immediate leadership record includes the period in which he helped steady the organization, strengthen internal and external relationships and support the renewed labour agreement. His stated priorities suggest that communication with the public and relationship-building will remain central to that work.
For Surrey, the change is more than a personnel decision. It places responsibility for the police service’s continuing development with a leader who has already been involved in its major initiatives and who has served through a period of transition. The board’s decision, supported by the police union, sets out a stable leadership path while the service continues its work with residents and stakeholders.
