Ongoing investigations into the conduct of suspended Victoria Police Chief Frank Elsner will be extended into the new year.
It’s the third such extension granted in the investigations, which came about after the embattled chief admitted to sending inappropriate messages to a subordinate officer’s wife.
Police Complaint Commissioner Stan Lowe said they’ve been extended to Jan. 26, 2017 after seven new witnesses were identified.
Those witnesses need to be interviewed, and RCMP Chief Supt. Sean Bourrie said that one previously interviewed witness has given new information that will require a follow-up with Elsner.
The nature of that information hasn’t been disclosed by the OPCC.
“I appreciate that the ongoing investigation has impact upon the operations of the Victoria Police Department and that there is a public interest in resolving these matters in a timely way,” Lowe said in the notice of extension. “At the same time, there is an overarching public interest in ensuring that the issues are addressed as fully and responsibly as possible.”
Lowe said that under the Police Act, the commissioner can grant an extension if he’s satisfied that new investigated leads are discovered that couldn’t have been revealed with reasonable care, the case or investigation is “unusually complex,” or the extension is in the public interest.
A BC Supreme Court judge is still mulling Elsner’s bid to end an external investigation into his conduct.
The arguments wrapped up two weeks ago in Vancouver and the judge reserved his decision to a later date.
Elsner remains suspended with pay from the Victoria Police Department.
