B.C.’s RCMP’s top cop relieved of duties after ‘allegations’ dating back to 2016
Published 3:57 pm Friday, August 14, 2026
B.C.’s top Mountie has been relieved of his duties, the federal RCMP announced Thursday (Aug. 13).
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said that Dwayne McDonald, who had been the B.C. RCMP’s commanding officer, is out of the role following “allegations” dating back to 2016. Police said the allegations were between 2016 and 2018.
McDonald served as B.C. RCMP’s top cop since 2021, according to a statement from the B.C. government in June 2021. He began his 29-year career with the Burnaby RCMP.
“These allegations were recently brought to the attention of the RCMP. Investigations are ongoing,” Duheme said in the statement.
“We are treating this matter with the attention and diligence it requires.”
During the time of the allegations, McDonald served as the Surrey RCMP’s top cop – the largest detachment in Canada at the time. He was Surrey RCMP’s officer-in-charge from 2016 to 2019.
He left the detachment in October 2019, saying it had nothing to do with the municipality’s transition to the Surrey Police Service. He had been policing in Surrey since 2007.
After leaving Surrey RCMP, he continued to work in the city out of the B.C. RCMP’s headquarters, ‘E’ Division. He served as the assistant commissioner and criminal operations officer for the federal investigative services and organized crime for B.C.
Duheme said he recognizes that “changes of this nature may be concerning for our employees, partners, and the communities we serve.”
He added that commanding officers play a critical role in the delivery of policing services and “it is important that we maintain continuity and stability in leadership”
John Brewer has been appointed as interim deputy commissioner and commanding officer of the B.C. RCMP.
Duheme said Brewer has his “full confidence” and the confidence of the senior executive committee as interim commanding officer.
“John Brewer is a respected member of the RCMP’s senior leadership team and is fully aware of the policing priorities and engaged in the policing needs of British Columbia.”
RCMP said it will not be providing further details at this time.
Black Press Media has reached out to the federal RCMP. B.C. RCMP directed comment to the federal RCMP.
B.C. Premier David Eby, when asked about McDonald in an unrelated news conference, said he doesn’t know the particulars of the allegations. He said he does know that the RCMP is engaging in a process to ensure that this is properly investigated.
“I look forward to any reports and information they may have to share with the public about that.”
Eby said he knows Brewer, calling him a “top-notch” RCMP officer and “will ensure seamless services for British Columbians, so from that perspective, I’m glad to know that the B.C. RCMP is in good hands.”
Asked if there should be more transparency, Eby said, “I think that ultimately the public deserves to know why the head RCMP officer in British Columbia was removed.
“But I also know that it is crucial both for anyone bringing forward allegations as well as for Mr. McDonald that that’s done properly.”
– With files from Tom Zytaruk