Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Santa Clarita

Dwight McDonald is a 30 year veteran of the California Law Enforcement, and a four year Veteran Sergeant of the United State Air Force, Strategic Air Command. During his tenure as a Law Enforcement professional, he has been involved in nearly every aspect of the law enforcement profession including field enforcement, administrative assignments, field and administrative supervision, special enforcement units, headquarters assignments, training, peer support, officer involved shootings, labor relations representation, and legislative relations at municipal, State, and Federal levels.

Dwight has a multi-experienced work history, having worked as a mechanic, restaurant food service, retail sales, construction, employee relations, contract negotiations, labor relations, and general law enforcement. During his distinguished 30 years of law enforcement service, he has worked in field patrol, air operations, public affairs, specialized accident investigation, commercial vehicle enforcement, Dignitary protection, and specialized graffiti and gang task forces. He has been recognized by the California Highway Patrol for his individual success in auto theft, and special enforcement in commercial vehicles, which resulted in the termination of a major trucking company. He was one of the first Emergency Medical Technicians with the California Highway Patrol in the Los Angeles County, one of the first Drug Recognitions Experts, and twice honored as officer of the year. Additionally, he was the first CHP officer honored as Officer of the Year by the San Fernando Valley Bar Association of Lawyers and Judges; He was recognized by the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, and the City of Beverly Hills for his heroic life saving efforts at the scene of a fallen officer. Additionally, Dwight was recognized by resolution of the California State Senate and Assembly for his commitment to his duties as an officer on the California Highway Patrol, and his service as being a 5 term elected Director to the Board of Directors on the California Association of Highway Patrolmen. Dwight was selected by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to create a plan for the implementation of an air operations unit within Southern California, and to have a functioning operational unit. This was accomplished in record time, resulting in the current CHP Air Operations within Los Angeles County. Dwight was selected by the CHP Top Management to plan, and author the Democratic National Convention CHP Operations Plan for security and Dignitary protection. Again, he was recognized by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol for his dedication and superior work.

His longevity within the Southern California area, growing up in the San Fernando Valley, his experience as a Life Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, his education from James Monroe High School, Los Angeles Valley College and California State University, Northridge, on-going education, community involvement, and 34 years of marriage to Janene, together raising a son Adam, and a daughter Amy, have resulted in a man with the sight toward the future, grounded in down home values. Although given the opportunity to advance within his field, he elected to fulfill his service where he could have the greatest impact on personnel and the public, and to be a stabilizing factor in the success of the California Highway Patrol, its mission, and its people.