The Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s top official in British Columbia has been removed from his position due to unspecified allegations spanning from 2016 to 2018, a statement from the RCMP revealed. Dwayne McDonald, who previously led the B.C. extortion task force, has been replaced by John Brewer as the new deputy commissioner and commanding officer of the B.C. RCMP.
The statement, issued by RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, stated that further details regarding the allegations will not be disclosed at this time. Duheme assured that the change in leadership would not impact 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 also served as the top officer at the Surrey RCMP and oversaw federal and organized crime investigations in B.C., had his bio removed from the RCMP’s senior executive committee page.
Having nearly thirty years of law enforcement experience, McDonald had previously worked at the Canada Border Services Agency. He held several key positions, including leading the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit. McDonald was recognized with the Order of Merit of the Police Forces in 2015.
John Brewer, now serving as the interim commanding officer and deputy commissioner of E Division, was previously an assistant commissioner with the RCMP. Commissioner Duheme expressed full confidence in Brewer, highlighting him as a respected member of the RCMP’s senior leadership team. Brewer had formerly led B.C.’s extortion task force before assuming his new role.