‘Work to do’ in ensuring end to internal misconduct: Victoria police chief

VICTORIA — The chief of the Victoria Police Department says there is still “work to do” in the wake of a scathing report that found former chief Frank Elsner committed eight acts of misconduct while in office.

“The behaviour that was described in the final report is simply unacceptable in the workplace,” Chief Const. Del Manak told a news conference Friday.

Senior managers in the department will work with the police board and union leaders to identify and address all workplace issues that made Elsner’s actions possible, he said.

“How could this behaviour have occurred in our midst?” Manak said, questioning if the force did enough to immediately identify Elsner’s misconduct and take action to prevent it from happening again.

He pointed to the recently created diversity and inclusion executive committee and mandatory anti-bullying and harassment training and ethics courses as signs the department is committed to a healthier work environment.

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Manak also praised the “brave and ethical people at this police department,” who witnessed Elsner’s actions and spoke up.

“Their courageous actions led directly to Wednesday’s final report by the (Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner),” he said.

Commissioner Stan Lowe found Elsner had been “caught in a web of untruths” that began when the former chief sent inappropriate Twitter messages to the wife of an officer in his department.

Elsner lied to investigators, minimized the inappropriate comments, encouraged another witness to make a false statement, had unwanted physical contact with two female officers, made inappropriate sexual remarks to another and misused department equipment, Lowe found.

He resigned as chief last May but Lowe demoted him to the rank of constable and dismissed him from policing.

Elsner could not be reached for comment.

The Canadian Press