Top B.C. Mountie Dwayne McDonald relieved of duties over unspecified allegations

The commanding officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in British Columbia, Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, has been relieved of his duties due to undisclosed allegations stemming from a period between 2016 and 2018. The allegations were brought to the force's attention recently, prompting an ongoing investigation by the RCMP.

Commissioner Mike Duheme addressed the matter, stating that the force would not disclose further details and was handling the situation with the necessary attention and diligence. John Brewer, who previously served as assistant commissioner in the province, has been appointed as the interim commanding officer, replacing McDonald.

Duheme reaffirmed that the change would not impact RCMP operations in British Columbia. McDonald had been a prominent figure in the RCMP, leading briefings on significant cases, including the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge in February 2022 and addressing the killing of Burnaby RCMP Const. Shaelyn Yang in 2022.