Victoria police chief upset about delays in probe about tweets
Victoria police Chief Frank Elsner says he was “shocked” at being suspended and devastated at the impact of a probe into allegations that he sent inappropriate Twitter messages to the wife of a subordinate officer and engaged in harassment against female employees.
In an affidavit filed in a new court action seeking to sideline the investigation, Elsner says that he is “deeply troubled” by delays in completing an external probe launched by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner.
“I have experienced a great deal of stress and anxiety as a result of the various investigations, which has worsened as they have dragged out,” said Elsner in the affidavit filed in B.C. Supreme Court. “I am under the care of a doctor ... I have had to start taking an anti-depressant and my doctor is highly concerned about my blood pressure.”
Elsner, who was suspended after the allegations surfaced in 2015, said he would like to resign as chief, so that he can take care of his health and try to move on.
“However, I am not a unionized employee and for reasons outside of my control, I am unable to negotiate the terms of my exit until these matters are resolved,” he said in the court document.
Elsner, who is awaiting a court decision in a similar application filed last year, complained about a fourth extension granted an investigator in January.
“What is particularly troubling about the delay is the fact that the investigation is only the first stage in the discipline process,” he said. “Once the investigation report has been submitted, the discipline authority will have to review the report and decide whether to substantiate the allegations.”
A series of news releases by the commissioner and the resultant publicity surrounding the case has had a “devastating” impact on his family, said Elsner.
“Out of respect for the process, I have not commented on the allegations since the external investigations were commenced. However, I find it extremely frustrating that I cannot defend myself in the face of these media reports. Even if the allegations are not substantiated, my reputation has been irreparably tarnished and I will never be able to return to work.”
The chief, who was appointed to what he called his “dream job” in December 2013, said he was “outraged” that investigators failed to secure his notebooks, which he claimed contain “highly sensitive” information that could be damaging to the organization and people’s careers.
He said he believed his email account had been tampered with and questioned a decision by the investigation for him not to have any contact with other members of the Victoria police, resulting in him becoming “increasingly isolated” from his support network.
Elsner said he had concerns about an internal probe into the Twitter allegations, but accepted the findings, as well as a discipline letter placed on his file. But he questioned the need for an external investigation and was “shocked” when he was suspended.
Elsner’s petition in B.C. Supreme Court seeks a number of orders, including that the investigation be stayed. A decision by B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson for a judicial review of the decision to launch an external investigation has not yet been released.
Rollie Woods, deputy police complaint commissioner, said that until the office receives some direction from the court, the matter is proceeding.
“The investigation by the police was completed on Friday, so the final investigation report was forwarded to the two retired judges who were going to review the final investigation reports ... whether there’s sufficient evidence for anything to go forward to a disciplinary proceeding,” said Woods. “They’ve got 10 business days to make that decision.”