Former Victoria police chief to consult for marijuana industry

Victoria's former police chief says he plans to start providing security consulting services for the marijuana industry.

Frank Elsner resignedon May 18following more than a year of investigations into allegations of misconduct involving female staff and the wife of one of his officers.

In an interview with CBC News, Elsner said he plans to stay in Victoria and is startinga firm called UMBRA Strategic Solutions. It will offer advicefor businesses in theemerging legal cannabis market in Canada.

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"This is an opportunity for me to move forward with my family. We don't want to move. This is our home," Elsner said.

"I think there is a need now for new voices, especially legitimate voices, to ensure that kids are protected, organized crime isn't part of the equation, and it becomes a legitimate business within our economy."

As Victoria's police chief, Elsner saidhe developed expertise around the budding marijuana industry. The City of Victoria chose to regulate and license dispensaries rather than force them to close.

As the federal governmentmoves forward with legalization, Elsner saidhe expects everyone, from growers todistributors to municipalities will need advice on how to navigate the new law.

Disciplinaryproceedings continue

Elsnerstill faces disciplinaryproceedings through the Office of the Police ComplaintCommissioner over allegations of misconduct.

He declined to comment on the matter while it is still ongoingbut said he looks forward to the opportunity to defend himself.

Even with discipline hearings hanging over him, Elsner said hedecided it is timeto move on.

"This has been a devastating experience for me, this last year and a half, and now that I'm no longer with the police department, I'm unemployed, so I need to provide for my family," he said.

"Thisis one of the ways I am looking to do that."

Elsner earned a salary of just over $200,000 per year as Victoria's police chief.

He was on leave with pay for the duration of the investigationbut stoppedreceiving hissalary andother employment benefits immediately upon his resignation.

The Victoria Police Board has declined to release figures on the legal costs related tothe Elsner investigation. It says it will do so once the matter has wrapped up.