It was a year of change and tragedy for local police, who lost two of their own in 2012.

Surrey Mountie Adrian Oliver was killed in November when his patrol car crashed head-on into a semi in Newton. An investigation revealed the 28-year-old officer had been speeding without his emergency lights on.

Oliver was the fifth Surrey Mountie to die while on duty since the RCMP began policing Surrey in 1951.

In January, RCMP helicopter pilot Dave Brolin, who grew up in Cloverdale, was killed when his RCMP "E" Division helicopter crashed near Cultus Lake.

The Surrey RCMP marked a new milestone in March when federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews and B.C. Minister of Justice Shirley Bond were in town to sign a new 20-year service contract with the Mounties. Also notable was the retirement of Assistant Commissioner Fraser MacRae in June. MacRae had been Surrey's top cop since 2004. Chief Supt. Bill Fordy is now at the helm.

Meanwhile, the provincial government opened the Independent Investigations Office in Surrey in September, aiming to keep B.C. police officers accountable in cases involving in-custody deaths and serious injuries.

In keeping with other years, many local Mounties were commended for their service and brave acts, but 2012 also saw some things the police would likely rather forget. A seven-year veteran officer with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit was charged with impaired driving after crashing her Mazda in Surrey, a White Rock RCMP constable was charged with dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm, a Surrey RCMP patrol car crashed into Newton's Robin Hood Pub, and the B.C. Coroners Service called for an inquest into the death of a Surrey teenager who was killed when a Surrey RCMP car struck her as she was crossing King George Boulevard.

The Mounties also took some flack from the public in June when it was revealed that the new "E" Division headquarters in Green Timbers will contain a 500-seat watering hole for thirsty off-duty cops.