Review of Victoria Police Chief Frank Elsner to be released - Action News
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British Columbia

Review of Victoria Police Chief Frank Elsner to be released

B.C.'s Police Complaint Commissioner is set to release his review into the inappropriate behaviour of Victoria Police Chief Frank Elsner and the internal investigation that followed.

Elsner has admitted he exchanged inappropriate messages and has since apologized

A white man wearing a police uniform.
Victoria police Chief Frank Elsner says he's deeply embarrassed about comments he exchanged with a woman over Twitter. (CHEK News)

B.C.'s Police Complaint Commissioner is set to release his review into the inappropriate behaviour of Victoria Police Chief Frank Elsner and the internal investigation that followed.

The Victoria chief's conduct was called into question when it was revealed that he had sent inappropriate messages on Twitter to a female officer on another force, who was married to one of his own officers.

Elsner apologized publicly for the behavior and an investigation by the Victoria Police Board reprimanded him, but concluded he should not be suspended or dismissed for his actions.

But the police union objected and said the rank and file members had lost confidence in Chief Elsner and called for his immediate dismissal.

Concerns were also raised about the manner in which the internal investigation was handled, prompting a complaint and then a review by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner Stan Lowe.

Lowe is expected to reveal the results of his review at 10 a.m. Friday in Victoria.

'Deeply humiliated' after reprimand

Elsnerhas admittedhe exchanged the inappropriate messagesand has since apologized, saying heis "deeply humiliated" after theboard 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.