The British Columbia RCMP’s top officer, Dwayne McDonald, has been removed from his position due to undisclosed allegations dating back to 2016-2018, as per an announcement from the police department. John Brewer, who previously led the extortion task force in B.C., has taken over as the acting deputy commissioner and commanding officer for the B.C. RCMP.
In a statement attributed to RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, it was mentioned that further specifics about the allegations will not be disclosed at this time. The statement assured that there would be no disruption to RCMP operations or policing services in the province.
The allegations are currently under investigation and were recently reported to the RCMP. McDonald, who previously served as the top officer at the Surrey RCMP and as the RCMP’s criminal operations officer overseeing federal and organized crime investigations in British Columbia, has had his bio removed from the RCMP’s senior executive committee page.
McDonald, who has nearly thirty years of law enforcement experience and a background at the Canada Border Services Agency, has held various significant roles, including leading the Lower Mainland’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and the anti-gang Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit. He was also a regular speaker at press conferences.
John Brewer, now serving as the interim commanding officer of the RCMP’s E Division and deputy commissioner, was previously an assistant commissioner within the RCMP. Commissioner Duheme expressed full confidence in Brewer, describing him as a respected member of the RCMP’s senior leadership team.
