The head of the RCMP in British Columbia, Dwayne McDonald, has been removed from his position due to unspecified allegations dating back to 2016-2018, as stated by the RCMP. John Brewer, who previously led the extortion task force in B.C., has taken over as the deputy commissioner and commanding officer of the B.C. RCMP.
According to a statement by RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, no further details about the allegations will be disclosed at this time. The statement assures that there will be no disruption to RCMP operations or policing services in the province.
The allegations are currently under investigation and were recently brought to the attention of the RCMP. McDonald, who had previously served as the top official at the Surrey RCMP and held roles in criminal operations overseeing federal and organized crime investigations in B.C., has had his biography removed from the RCMP’s senior executive committee page.
John Brewer, now serving as the interim commanding officer of the B.C. RCMP, was formerly an assistant commissioner within the RCMP. Duheme expressed full confidence in Brewer, stating that he is a valued member of the RCMP’s senior leadership team.
McDonald, who received the Order of Merit of the Police Forces in 2015, had almost three decades of law enforcement experience and had worked at the Canada Border Services Agency. As the head of the B.C. RCMP, McDonald was in charge of the largest division within the RCMP’s structure. Brewer’s previous role as the head of the extortion task force in B.C. prepared him for his current position within the RCMP leadership.