‘Unprecedented’ penalty handed down to former Victoria police chief

Former Victoria Police Chief Frank Elsner has been demoted to the rank of constable and dismissed from policing by British Columbia’s police complaint commissioner after he was found to have committed eight acts of misconduct under the Police Act.

Elsner resigned in May 2017, but complaint commissioner Stan Lowe says his police record will state he faces a 30-day suspension and was required to take training for harassment and sensitivity  in connection with unwanted contact with a female officer.

Lowe says in a statement the disciplinary decision comes after his review of two investigations and discipline proceedings involving Elsner.

The investigations and discipline proceedings before two retired judges were held after a 2015 Victoria police board investigation examined reports that Elsner sent inappropriate Twitter messages  to an officer.

The eight acts of misconduct include discreditable conduct, inappropriate use of police department equipment and facilities, and deceit.

Lowe says the findings and discipline measures “are unprecedented in Canadian policing.”