Source: The Nelson Daily (edited)
Today the RCMP announced the appointment of Assistant Commissioner Dwayne McDonald (MEI Class of 1986) who will be the next Commanding Officer of the RCMP in British Columbia. A/Commr. Dwayne McDonald will assume the rank of Deputy Commissioner when he takes over command from D/Commr. Jennifer Strachan on July 1, 2021.
Statement from Assistant Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, incoming Commanding Officer
“I am excited and truly honoured to be named the next Commanding Officer of the BC RCMP. Our police officers and civilian employees continue to meet and exceed expectations in the ever-changing and challenging landscape of policing and public safety. I have had the pleasure of serving in British Columbia in municipal, specialized operations, and federal policing positions throughout my 26-year career with the RCMP.
I know that policing is evolving. I am ready to be part of the change and work with our people, partners, and communities to make it even better. Our policing team will succeed if we set shared goals, have clearly defined roles, enhance our relationships and increase trust and confidence. I want to continue to build on Deputy Commissioner Strachan’s legacy and I am optimistic about the way forward.”
Previously Posted Feb 5, 2019
Source: RCMP website (edited)
Assistant Commissioner Dwayne McDonald grew up in the Lower Mainland graduated from MEI Schools in 1986, and joined the RCMP in 1995 where he began his policing career with the Burnaby RCMP. While at the Burnaby Detachment he rose through the ranks of Constable, to Sergeant as he worked in General Duty, Community Special Projects, Strike Force, the Emergency Response Team and Major Crime.
After 12 years in municipal policing, Assistant Commissioner McDonald transferred to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team where he served as a Sergeant Team Leader and was later promoted to the position of Staff Sergeant, Team Commander. During his four years with IHIT (2007-2011) he had responsibility for multiple investigative teams and managed over 50 homicide investigations throughout the Lower Mainland.
In 2011 he transferred to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) where he assumed to role of Team Commander for project E-Nitrogen, the investigation into the gangland slaying of Jonathan Bacon. In 2012 he received his Commission to the rank of Inspector as an Operations Officer/Senior Investigator at CFSEU-BC. In addition to being an advocate for the End Gang Life campaign, he also worked with key stakeholders to target, disrupt and prosecute individuals or groups that pose the highest risk to public safety due to involvement in gang violence.
In 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent and returned to IHIT as the Officer in Charge (OIC). As the OIC he led the largest homicide unit in Canada with 110 police officers, civilian members, and public service employees.
In 2017, OIC Dwayne McDonald was promoted from Chief Superintendent to the rank of Assistant Commissioner.
Assistant Commissioner McDonald has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University, is an Accredited Team Commander and has completed extensive training in the areas of Critical Incident Command Systems and Major Case Management. He currently sits on the Major Case Management Committee and the Integrated Kidnapping Operational Response working group. In 2015 Assistant Commissioner McDonald was invested as a member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces.
He coaches youth hockey and lives in New Westminster with his wife and three children.
MEI Schools Class of 1986
