SURREY, B.C. - The top police officer in Surrey, B.C., is leaving his post to take up a new role with the RCMP in the province.
Assistant Commissioner Dwayne McDonald was named officer in charge of the Surrey Mounties three years ago, taking over the largest RCMP detachment in the country.
In his new role, he will be the criminal operations officer in the RCMP unit that oversees federal investigations and organized crime in B.C.
Surrey's relationship with the RCMP has been in doubt as the city in Metro Vancouver was recently given approval to begin a transition to a municipal police department.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said in August that a team has been formed between the city and the province to ensure key issues of the transition are addressed, and it will be up to that team to determine if the switch can be done by 2021.
Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum successfully campaigned on a promise to replace the RCMP with a municipal police force.
McDonald said the change is not behind his decision to leave.
"I am mindful that some may view my departure as a harbinger of policing transition in Surrey," he said in a statement on Wednesday. "I want to assure both the citizens of Surrey and the Surrey RCMP team that this is unequivocally not the case."
He noted that the city's contract with the RCMP has not been terminated.
"The province of B.C. has put in place a robust and objective process to study the City of Surrey's proposal for a municipal police force, and I am confident that their decision on this matter will be fully informed," he added.
A report released by the city in June estimated the operating cost for a municipal police force would be $192.5 million dollars in 2021, about 11 per cent more than the current RCMP contract.
Surrey RCMP Officer in Charge A/Commr Dwayne McDonald announces he will take on a new role as the Criminal Operations Officer for the @BCRCMP overseeing federal, investigative services and organized crime in the province. See his statement: https://t.co/UsGEomSniW pic.twitter.com/q0xzCNlwVu
— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) October 16, 2019
Statement from Assistant Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, Surrey RCMP Officer in Charge:
I am honoured to have been selected by the Province of British Columbia and the RCMP for the promotional opportunity to serve as the Criminal Operations Officer – Federal, Investigative Services and Organized Crime for the Province of BC.
While I look forward to taking on this challenging and exciting new portfolio, I must admit this was not an easy decision for me to make. My past three years as the Officer in Charge of Surrey Detachment have been the most interesting and engaging in my career. Surrey has some of the most skilled and experienced police officers and municipal employees I have worked with, and their dedication to this city and to public safety is second to none.
In addition, the broad spectrum of prevention and intervention programs and proactive community engagement initiatives run by Surrey Detachment is extremely impressive. Frankly, this is not an easy post to give up. I would like to thank Mayor and Council, as well as all the staff at City Hall for the privilege of serving as your Police Chief.
Despite my departure from Surrey Detachment, I will continue to police in Surrey, as I have since 2007.
In my new role as Criminal Operations Officer at BC RCMP headquarters, I will be responsible for overseeing federal, investigative services and organized crime for BC. This includes issues such as financial crime, cyber crime, money laundering, national security, major crime and gangs, all of which can impact Surrey as well as many other communities across the province. I look forward to continuing to serve you in this new capacity.
I am mindful that some may view my departure as a harbinger of policing transition in Surrey. I want to assure both the citizens of Surrey and the Surrey RCMP team that this is unequivocally not the case.
As it stands right now, the City of Surrey’s contract for RCMP policing services has not been terminated. The Province of BC has put in place a robust and objective process to study the City of Surrey's proposal for a municipal police force, and I am confident that their decision on this matter will be fully informed.
To the residents and business owners in Surrey, I first want to assure you that operations and service delivery will not be impacted by my departure. The senior team of the Surrey RCMP are in place and committed to maintaining excellent service. I wish to thank you for the support and trust you have put in me to police your city.
As your local police force, we have an implicit contract with you, the public, that says you trust in our ability to objectively and professionally maintain the rule of law. Your support and constructive criticism have made me a better officer and made Surrey a better place. Never forget that you, the public, have the most important voice in how your community is policed.
Thank you for giving me the honour of serving with you as Surrey’s Officer in Charge.