YouTube sensation
Teen inspires others to follow their dreams Page A8
NEWS: Sailors return home for Christmas /A5 ARTS: Ballet Victoria presents The Gift /A9 BUSINESS: Driftwood Brewery picks up awards /A10
VICTORIANEWS Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Proudly serving Esquimalt & Victoria
REMAX ALLIANCE
250 813 1705 WWW. SOLD VICTORIA.COM
www.vicnews.com
Police chief facing two more investigations Pamela Roth Victoria News
Victoria’s police chief has received another blow — the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) has ordered two public trust investigations into his conduct and one of them involves allegations of workplace harassment. It all began last August when the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board launched an internal investigation after a concern was brought to their attention regarding private messages that were exchanged on Twitter between Chief Frank Elsner and the wife (a female officer from Saanich) of an officer under his command. An independent lawyer investigated the matter and concluded there was no inappropriate relationship, but there was inappropriate use of direct messaging and social media. What those messages said has not been revealed. On Dec. 4, the police board voted to keep Elsner on as chief, but imposed undisclosed
discipline. A few days later, the police union said it has no confidence in the way the board and its chairs handled the incident. The union also has no confidence in Elsner’s ability to continue to lead. As a result, a report on the investigation was sent to the OPCC — a civilian watchdog that oversees police conduct — to determine whether it was necessary to order a public trust investigation into the matter. Now the review is complete and police complaint commissioner Stan Lowe is calling for an external investigation into five allegations of disciplinary breaches of trust. In a lengthy report on his decision released Friday, Lowe touched on a number of issues he had with the internal investigation and revealed more allegations surrounding Elsner while it was taking place. PlEASE SEE: New allegations, Page A3
Pamela Roth/Victoria News
Oh, Christmas tree Christmas lights are draped over a large tree in front of the B.C. legislature.
Location sought for temporary shelter Pamela Roth Victoria News
The search is on for a temporary location to house more than 50 campers living outside the Victoria courthouse, and Our Place has been tasked with finding and running the appropriate site. Earlier this month, the province announced it was providing $400,000 to fund a new 40-bed temporary shelter with
Victoria and Island Health. An additional $25,000 will go towards start up costs. The shelter will operate until the end of April and provide meals and other supports. It will also remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week as opposed to regular shelters that are only open at night. Our Place spokesperson Grant McKenzie is still waiting for specific details about the project, but hopes to bring the campers indoors with their gear by the
end of the month. “They want a place where the people who are at tent city will feel comfortable. What exactly that will look like is difficult to know,” said McKenzie, adding it’ll boil down to the location on whether the campers will be able to pitch their tents indoors. PlEASE SEE: Temporary shelter, Page A3
LIST WITH
MANPREET KANDOLA PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
250-813-1705
MULTI-AWARD WINNING REALTOR
WWW. SOLD VICTORIA.COM
Water Views and Updated 1646 Hollywood Crescent
$889,000
Brand New with Legal Suite, Oak Bay Border Home. 1828 Adanac Street
$849,000 + GST
CALL NOW FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION ASSESSMENT