British Columbia

Victoria police union has 'no confidence' in police chief Frank Elsner

The union issued the statement following an internal investigation that found Chief Elsner sent inappropriate messages to a female police officer on another force.

Union's statement follows findings that Chief Elsner sent inappropriate messages to a female officer

A white man wearing a police uniform.
Suspended Victoria Police Chief Frank Elsner says investigation into his alleged misconduct has caused him stress and anxiety. (CHEK News)

The Victoria City Police Union says it has "no confidence" in Chief Frank Elsner's ability to lead the police department after an internal investigation found he sent inappropriate messages on Twitter to a female police officer on another force, who is also the wife of a subordinate officer.

On Sunday Elsner admitted to sending the messages, saying he was "deeply humiliated" after the Victoria Police Board placed a formal reprimand on his record, the first in his 33-year career.

An internal investigation by the Victoria Police Board found there was no inappropriate relationship involving Elsner and there was no breach of the public's trust in the department, but that the online messages did cross a line.

​However, the union says it has "no confidence" in the way the police board handled the incident.

On Monday the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, which provides civilian oversight of complaints about municipal police, announced it would conduct an independent review of the internal investigation. 

Elsner, in response to the union's statement, says he has confidence "we will continue serving the public with the professionalism for which the VicPD is known," and that he will continue to serve as chief. 

With files from Megan Thomas