The British Columbia RCMP’s top official, Dwayne McDonald, has been removed from his position due to unspecified allegations dating back to 2016-2018, the RCMP confirmed. John Brewer, who previously led the extortion task force in B.C., has taken over as the deputy commissioner and commanding officer for the province.
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, in a statement, mentioned that no further details about the allegations would be disclosed at this time. Despite this development, Duheme assured that there would be no disruption to RCMP operations or policing services in British Columbia.
The allegations are currently under investigation and were recently brought to the attention of the RCMP. McDonald, who had also served as the Surrey RCMP’s top officer and as the RCMP’s criminal operations officer overseeing federal and organized crime investigations in B.C., has had his bio removed from the RCMP’s senior executive committee webpage.
Having nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience, McDonald previously worked at the Canada Border Services Agency and held various key roles within the RCMP, including leading the Lower Mainland’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and the anti-gang Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.
In 2015, McDonald was honored with the Order of Merit of the Police Forces. The B.C. RCMP, known as E Division, is the largest division within the RCMP’s structure.
John Brewer, who has been appointed as the interim commanding officer and deputy commissioner for E Division, was previously an assistant commissioner with the RCMP. According to the RCMP statement, Commissioner Duheme expressed full confidence in Brewer, highlighting his status as a respected member of the RCMP’s senior leadership team.