RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme announced on Thursday that Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald has been relieved of his duties as Commanding Officer of the RCMP in B.C. following allegations dating back to 2016-2018.
(McDonald was the Surrey RCMP’s top cop from 2016 to 2020.)
He said: “These allegations were recently brought to the attention of the RCMP. Investigations are ongoing. We are treating this matter with the attention and diligence it requires. We will not be providing further details at this time.”
John Brewer has been appointed as interim Deputy Commissioner and Commanding Officer of the RCMP in B.C.
Duheme said: “I recognize that changes of this nature may be concerning for our employees, partners, and the communities we serve. Commanding Officers play a critical role in the delivery of policing services, and it is important that we maintain continuity and stability in leadership. John Brewer is a respected member of the RCMP’s senior leadership team and is fully aware of the policing priorities and engaged in the policing needs of British Columbia. He has my full confidence as interim Commanding Officer, as well as the confidence of the Senior Executive Committee.”
MCDONALD has three decades of experience in law enforcement having served both the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Before taking over as the BC RCMP top cop in 2021, McDonald served as the Assistant Commissioner and Criminal Operations Officer for Federal, Investigative Services and Organized Crime for the province of B.C. He had oversight of a large portfolio of including RCMP Major Crime, Police Support Services, Criminal Intelligence, Federal Policing, National Security, and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit-BC (CFSEU-BC).
Prior to being appointed the Criminal Operations Officer, he was promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendent and named the Officer in Charge of the RCMP Detachment in Surrey, the largest RCMP Detachment in Canada, in 2016 and served in that position until 2020.
In 2014, he was promoted to Superintendent and the Officer in Charge of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), the largest homicide unit in Canada. IHIT is the integrated unit comprised of Municipal Police Agencies and the RCMP, which is responsible for all homicides, suspicious deaths and high risk missing person investigations throughout the Lower Mainland District of B.C.
He was commissioned in 2011, to the rank of Inspector as the Senior Investigating Officer in the CFSEU-BC, the integrated Provincial anti-gang unit comprised of RCMP, Municipal Police Agencies and the Organized Crime Agency of BC.
Some of his earlier postings included: Team Commander, Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, Sergeant, Major Crimes, Burnaby RCMP Detachment, 2 i/c Burnaby and North Fraser Emergency Response Team (ERT), Assaulter, Sniper/Marksman, Team Leader, Strike Force Robbery Unit – surveillance and tactical intervention Patrol, Field Coach/Trainer.
