Victoria police chief steps down

Victoria police ChiefFrank Elsnerhas resigned.

The resignation was announced in a statement from the Victoria and EsquimaltPolice Board

"The employment relationship between Mr. Frank Elsner and the Boardhas been concluded by Mr. Elsner," the boardsaid.

Effective immediately.Elsner will no longer receive a salaryor other employment benefits.

The Victoria police chief had been suspended withpay since April 2016.

He stepped aside in December 2015after he admitted to sendinginappropriate Twitter messages to a female officer with another police department, who also happened to be the wife of one of his own officers.

A second external investigation is looking intoallegations that Elsner harassedfour Victoria police employees.

Investigation continues

Rollie Woods, the deputy police complaint commissioner, said Elsner'sresignation will not affect the allegations against him, because the Police Act still applies to former members.

"Any misconduct or allegations of misconduct that a member faced while they were employed by a police force will still be looked at, even if they resign or retire," he said.

"So,in this case, Mr. Elsner is now a former officer, he's still subject to the allegations he was facing before he resigned, and the disciplinaryproceedings will still proceed."

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps said the resignations will have no bearing on the daily operations of the Victoria police Departmentand acting chiefDel Manakwill remain in his role until a replacement is found.

Elsner will be given the opportunity to defend himself during a formal hearing.

The police board said it will be conveningto determine next steps to select a new chief constable for the Victoria Police Department.

With files from Richard Zussman