Suspended Victoria Police Chief Frank Elsner's lawyer is in a Vancouver courtroom trying to end the external investigation into direct messages that he sent to the wife of a subordinate officer in his department.
Elsner was suspended with full pay in April in the wake of allegations that he tried to destroy evidence relating to the external probe of his actions.
There was an internal investigation ordered by the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board that concluded there was not an inappropriate relationship between the Chief and the woman. But they did conclude the direct messages and use of work social media was inappropriate.
CTV Vancouver Island's Robert Buffam says what Elsner is basically saying is, " I went through that, there was a finding made, I was disciplined. I made the decision to accept that process and to accept the conclusion -- although I did have some misgivings about the conclusion -- based on assurances given to me by the co-chairs of the police board. Barb DesJardin and Lisa Helps had assured him that if he did accept that finding the matter would stay confidential, priviledged, and would not get out into the public realm, and that would be the end of things.That would put things to rest and he would be able to continue working."
Buffam says Elsner believes even though the Police Complaints Commissioner wasn't happy with that investigation he does not have the authority to order a new external investigation.
None of the allegations have been proven in court. Elsner himself is not in the courtroom. Four days have been set aside to hear the case.
Buffam was speaking with CFAX 1070's Joe Perkins.