Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, has released the following statement in response to the appointment of a new commanding officer for the B.C. RCMP (E Division):

“It is my pleasure to welcome Dwayne McDonald to the role of commanding officer of the B.C. RCMP. Deputy Commissioner McDonald brings a wealth of experience to the job – his 26 years in the RCMP have all been in service to British Columbians. 

“Deputy Commissioner McDonald’s long career in the RCMP started as a front-line officer with the Burnaby RCMP and includes serving as officer in charge (OIC) of the Surrey RCMP detachment. He also served as OIC of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, a senior role with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and most recently as criminal operations officer, Federal Investigative Services and Organized Crime. This experience leaves him well positioned as commanding officer of the largest RCMP division in Canada, to tackle key priority issues in policing today and into the future. 

“We have high expectations of the RCMP who provide policing in municipalities and Indigenous communities right across B.C. We expect its members to serve with dedication and professionalism, ensuring the safety of British Columbians.  

“I will be meeting soon with Deputy Commissioner McDonald to discuss our expectations and policing priorities for the Provincial Police Service, which are a direct reflection of the mandate given to me by the Premier. The work by the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act is reviewing the role of police with respect to mental health, harm reduction and systemic racism. The all-party committee will make recommendations to the legislature on how B.C.’s Police Act can be modernized to ensure police services are fair, equitable and responsive to vulnerable groups. I am confident that Deputy Commissioner McDonald is prepared and committed to support this new approach to policing in B.C.   

“I want to wish Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Strachan all the best in her retirement from the RCMP. She has had a stellar, decades-long career in the RCMP and has served British Columbians with the utmost professionalism, passion and dedication. On behalf of all of us, I thank her for her service.”