Independent agency to review Victoria police chief investigation
Frank Elsner formally reprimanded for exchanging inappropriate messages with woman
An independent agency will be reviewing an internal police investigation into Victoria Police Chief Frank Elsner's inappropriate exchange of messages with a woman on Twitter.
The Victoria Times Colonist said in a report the exchange was with the wife of one of his Victoria police officers. The report said the woman is also a police officer, but works in a neighbouring department.
The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, which provides civilian oversight of complaints about municipal police, announced on Monday it will conduct the independent review.
No breach of public trust
The Victoria Police Board hired a lawyer to conduct an investigation after receiving a complaint about Elsner in September.
Board co-chair and Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins says the investigation found that there was no inappropriate relationship involving Elsner and there was no breach of the public's trust in the department, but that online messages did cross a line.
While the incident will go on Elsner's service record, the board voted Friday to keep him on as chief.
Elsner has admitted he exchanged the inappropriate messages and has since apologized, saying he is "deeply humiliated" after the board placed a formal reprimand on his record, the first in his 33-year career.
The exchange started in late spring, he said, and he stopped it before "it became more ridiculous than it was."
Elsner was sworn in as chief two years ago and since assuming command of the force has had a very active presence on social media.
The Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner has the power to order its own investigation if it finds there is reason to think there are issues about public trust in the department.
With files from Canadian Press