Close X
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

RCMP Called To Investigate Victoria Police Chief, Who Volunteers To 'Step Aside'

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Dec, 2015 01:29 PM
    Victoria's police chief has stepped aside after an investigation into his social-media conduct with the wife of one of his officers escalated into allegations of breach of trust and discreditable conduct.
     
    B.C.'s police complaint commissioner Stan Lowe announced Friday that RCMP Chief Supt. Sean Burrie will lead two Police Act investigations into eight allegations against Chief Const. Frank Elsner. 
     
    Once the investigations are complete, retired judges Carol Baird Ellan and Ian Pitfield will decide whether the chief's actions were misconduct, said Lowe.
     
    Shortly after the announcement, Elsner told the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board he will voluntarily leave his post, pending the results of the investigations due in June, said Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins who serves as the board's co-chairwoman.
     
    "The chief conveyed the message to us by email that he voluntarily wants to step aside for the best of the department, for the best of the (police) board and for the best of all concerned until this investigation is done," said Desjardins.
     
    Desjardins said Deputy Chief Del Manak will become acting chief and Elsner will remain on paid leave.  
     
    Elsner could not be immediately reached for comment.
     
    "It's tragic," Desjardins said. "I know the community is concerned. I know there are members of that police department who are hurting."
     
    She said the police board is preparing to call a meeting as early as Monday to review the issue.
     
    When asked why the police board backed the chief when the allegations initially arose, Desjardins said, "There in no way was this a cover-up."
     
    On Dec. 6, Elsner apologized, saying he was "truly sorry and humiliated," after a police-board investigation found Twitter messages he'd sent to another officer's wife were inappropriate.
     
    Lowe's report contains allegations that Elsner provided misleading information to an investigator and contacted a witness during an internal investigation, including the officer whose wife the chief had messaged over Twitter. Elsner allegedly provided the officer with information that convinced him no further investigation into the matter was required, said the report.
     
     
    The member's wife is reportedly a police officer in a neighbouring jurisdiction.
     
    "I think the commissioner described that he feels these allegations are extremely serious," said Rollie Woods, deputy police complaint commissioner, in an interview. "That's the way we are treating it."
     
    Lowe said in a statement he received more information last week from Victoria's police union, including allegations by four employees of workplace harassment starting in early 2014.
     
    The union has already called for Elsner to be removed from his job for the "betrayal" of trust of his officers.
     
    Acting union president Sgt. Glen Shiels said in a statement issued Friday that the union supports the investigations into Elsner's conduct.
     
    Lowe's order for launching an external investigation against Elsner set out five circumstances that if substantiated would constitute misconduct, and his order said there is an overriding interest in proceeding with the investigations as a matter of public trust.
     
    "The climate within the department appears to be in a state of tension and dissonance," said Lowe.
     
    The Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board was notified about a concern involving the chief during the summer and hired a lawyer to investigate.
     
    Although the investigation found his use of social media was inappropriate, the eight board members met in early December and decided the chief still had their "full confidence."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    RCMP Plans New Investigative Team As Part Of Cybercrime Strategy

    RCMP Plans New Investigative Team As Part Of Cybercrime Strategy
    OTTAWA — The RCMP plans to set up a cybercrime team to investigate the most significant online threats to Canada's reputation and economy.

    RCMP Plans New Investigative Team As Part Of Cybercrime Strategy

    A Breakdown Of Promised Liberal Spending On Green Infrastructure, Technology

    OTTAWA — The Liberal government has promised more than $13 billion in new spending that could help reduce the amount of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions. Some details:

    A Breakdown Of Promised Liberal Spending On Green Infrastructure, Technology

    Flights For Syrian Refugees To Canada To Start Dec. 10, Document Says

    Flights For Syrian Refugees To Canada To Start Dec. 10, Document Says
    OTTAWA — The first planes carrying Syrian refugees from camps overseas are expected to arrive at two of Canada's busiest airports late next week.

    Flights For Syrian Refugees To Canada To Start Dec. 10, Document Says

    Conservatives Will Be The Voice For Taxpayers In The Commons: Rona Ambrose

    Conservatives Will Be The Voice For Taxpayers In The Commons: Rona Ambrose
    Rona Ambrose is promising that the Conservative caucus will be the strongest official Opposition Canadians have ever seen, and will serve as the dominant voice for taxpayers in Ottawa.

    Conservatives Will Be The Voice For Taxpayers In The Commons: Rona Ambrose

    Ontario's Liberal Government Adds 15 New Ridings, Bringing Total To 122

    Ontario's Liberal Government Adds 15 New Ridings, Bringing Total To 122
    The government says population changes in southern Ontario have prompted it to add 15 new ridings to that part of the province, bringing the total up to 122.

    Ontario's Liberal Government Adds 15 New Ridings, Bringing Total To 122

    Speed, Distraction Among Many Factors In Deadly 2013 Bus-Train Crash

    Speed, Distraction Among Many Factors In Deadly 2013 Bus-Train Crash
    In its final report on the crash — six people on board the double-decker OCTranspo bus were killed, including the driver — the board concluded that a number of factors conspired together in the moments before impact.

    Speed, Distraction Among Many Factors In Deadly 2013 Bus-Train Crash