The RCMP’s commanding officer in British Columbia has been relieved of his duties after allegations dating back several years recently came to light, the force announced Thursday. Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald was stripped of his role after the Mounties learned of the allegations, which spanned a period from 2016 to 2018, according to a statement from RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme. “Investigations are ongoing,” Duheme said. “We are treating this matter with the attention and diligence it requires.” The RCMP did not provide details about the nature of the allegations, saying it would not comment further while investigations are underway. The provincial prosecutors’ office declined to say whether the allegations were connected to any criminal proceedings. “The B.C. Prosecution Service does not comment on matters that are under investigation,” spokesperson Damienne Darby wrote in an emailed statement. With McDonald’s ouster, Assistant Commissioner John Brewer has now been appointed interim deputy commissioner and commanding officer of the RCMP in B.C. Duheme said Brewer, a member of the RCMP’s senior leadership team, has his full confidence as he takes over the province’s top policing role. “I recognize that changes of this nature may be concerning for our employees, partners and the communities we serve,” Duheme said. “Commanding officers play a critical role in the delivery of policing services, and it is important that we maintain continuity and stability in leadership.” The commissioner said Brewer is familiar with policing priorities in B.C., adding that removing McDonald will not affect RCMP operations in the province. “We remain focused on our mandate and on maintaining the trust and confidence of the people and communities we serve,” he said. According to his official RCMP biography, McDonald has more than 29 years of law enforcement experience, including service with the Canada Border Services Agency. He previously served as head of the RCMP’s Surrey detachment, the largest RCMP detachment in Canada. In 2014, he was named officer in charge of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), the country’s largest homicide unit. Brewer, meanwhile, drew attention earlier this year when, as head of the B.C. anti-extortion task force, he questioned whether the shootings and threats plaguing the province amounted to a “crisis.” Brewer later apologized for the comments, which B.C. Premier David Eby described as “puzzling” and said required an explanation. “It’s hard to think of a situation, where you are unable to do business, you don’t feel comfortable in your own home, you are facing gunshots, and where residents in homes are shooting back at people, who are shooting at their home, as anything other than a crisis,” Eby said. Brewer responded with a statement saying it was not his intention to question the RCMP’s commitment to the extortion investigations, which he said were “one of our highest priorities.”
