Victoria police chief's inappropriate tweets no barrier to remaining in job... for now
The Victoria Police Board says it stands by an internal investigation of Chief Const. Frank Elsner after an inappropriate act on social media and will determine soon whether he remains top officer or not.
The investigation confirmed that Elsner sent an inappropriate message on Twitter to a female police officer on another force, who is also the wife of a subordinate officer.
Details of that exchange have not been released.
No decision has yet been made about Elsner's position, despite calls by the police union for him to step down, citing a "lack of confidence" in his leadership.
"The board understands that some people may be dissatisfied with the process or the outcome of the discipline process," reads a press release issued by the board.
Nevertheless, the release noted, the process used to deal with the matter complies with the Police Act and advice from legal counsel and the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner (OPCC).
"With respect to the Chief's leadership of the department, the board is committed to making a timely decision on this important issue," continued the release.
'Deeply humiliated'
On Sunday, Elsner said he was "deeply humiliated" after the Victoria Police Board placed a formal reprimand on his record, the first in his 33-year career.
But in response to the union's statement, Elsner said he has confidence "we will continue serving the public with the professionalism for which the VicPD is known," and that he will continue to serve as chief.
The board's internal investigation found there was no inappropriate relationship involving Elsner and there was no breach of the public's trust in the department, but that the online messages did cross a line.
The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, which provides civilian oversight of complaints about municipal police, is now conducting an independent review of that internal investigation.
