RCMP ordered to investigate Victoria police chief

B.C.'s police complaints commissioner has ordered an investigation into undisclosed matters concerning Victoria Police Chief Paul Battershill, who has been suspended with pay by the police board since Oct. 11.

A news release issued on Friday by Dirk Ryneveld's office did not say what allegations the RCMP will be investigating.

Victoria'spolice board, led by Mayor Alan Lowe, has not revealed why Battershill was put on administrative leave.

"In order to preserve the integrity of the investigation, no public comment beyond this statement will be made by my office regarding this matter. For the same purpose, the RCMP, the mayor of the City of Victoria, the Victoria Police Board and the Victoria Police Department have been asked to refrain from any public comment," Ryneveld's statement said.

Meanwhile, Victoria lawyer David Mulroney said he wrote a letter to the law firm that represents the Victoria Police Department suggesting possible areas of conflict of interest surrounding Battershill and his knowledge of freedom of information requests involving himself.

Mulroney said he represents a client who filed several Freedom of Information requests that name Battershill, who is highly regarded in policing circles.

Mulroney told CBC News on Friday that his client — whom he won't name — wanted information on the chief's expense accounts, believing it may explain a lack of funding for downtown policing in Victoria.

"If someone's being told there's not enough for this, then where's all the money going?," Mulroney asked. "We're looking at areas, through our requests, where we think money is not being well-spent."

Mulroney said he's also looking for information on suspensions with pay, dismissals without cause, as well as asking why so many police personnel have taken severance packages since Battershill became chief in 1999.

Meanwhile, it is now up to the Victoria Police Board to decide if Battershill will stay on leave, be reinstated as chief or be suspended until the investigation is complete.

Victoria police are expected to release more details to the media on Monday.