The first of 2 disciplinary hearings for former Victoria Chief Police Chief Constable Frank Elsner was supposed to get underway today in Vancouver, but there's been another delay.
The hearing had already been delayed to allow Elsner to find a new lawyer after the one he had was elevated to the position of Judge.
Deputy Police Complaint Commissioner Rollie Woods says while Elsner did show up with temporary counsel this morning, he has still not retained a new solicitor for the hearing:
"The issue is still trying to find counsel. So the adjudicator, the retired judge, granted him the adjournment to the 27th."
The problem, it turns out, is who will pay for the lawyer. Elsner wants the Police Board to pick up his tab. It's not known how much that will cost, but it's expected to be substantial.
Elsner was suspended with pay in April 2016, collecting $205,000 a year plus benefits. He is no longer employed by the police board. He left in May to form a cannabis security-consulting business.
The co-chair of the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board -- Esquimalt mayor Barb Desjardins confirms Elsner is disputing the terms of his contract:
"What I can say to you is there is an ongoing dispute with regard to the interpretation of the indemnity clause of his contract. We are continuing to work on that, and we hope to resolve that."
Desjardins says the Police Board is doing everything it can to resolve the matter.
Elsner has a second hearing scheduled for October 30th on allegations of workplace harassment.