TEAM

ROB McDONALD

Saanich Police Sgt.

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Rob McDonald knew growing up as a child in Deep Cove on Vancouver Island he never wanted a predictable desk job.

Always active as a kid, McDonald naturally developed into a triathlete competing in Olympic lengths and ironman races after his parents moved to Sidney and, rather than dedicating their lives to chauffeuring their children to sports events, bought them bikes to commute instead. 

After graduating Camosun College (where he studied psychology) and working as a lifeguard, swim instructor and programmer at Saanich Commonwealth Place, he turned to policing at age 30, realizing he also liked the idea of “helping someone on their worst day.” 

Twenty-two years later, MacDonald, 52, is a Saanich Police sergeant who has been there for many people on their toughest days; he recalls a mother whose son was murdered hugging McDonald in court for doing what he could to help him.

McDonald is also the proud dad of two children: son Ayden, 22, and daughter Lochlyn, 17.

The year Lochlyn was born, McDonald was committed to training for a kids cancer charity event when “everything went upside down” and his daughter was diagnosed with Costello’s syndrome, a genetic defect which can result in cell overgrowth or abnormal cell division. 

Seventeen years and 34 clear body scans later, Lochlyn remains healthy and McDonald is still volunteering in the hopes of helping other kids and families who “don’t get that clear scan every year.”