Victoria police chief's inappropriate tweets no barrier to remaining in job... for now

The Victoria Police Board says it stands by an internal investigation of Chief Const. Frank Elsner after an inappropriate act on social mediaand will determine soon whether he remains top officer or not.

The investigation confirmed that Elsnersent an inappropriate message on Twitter to a female police officeron another force, who is also the wife of a subordinate officer.

Details of that exchange have not been released.

No decision has yetbeen made about Elsner's position, despite calls by the police union for him to step down, citing a "lack of confidence" in his leadership.

• Victoria Police Chief 'deeply humiliated' over inappropriate tweets

"The board understands that some people may be dissatisfied with the process or theoutcome of the discipline process," reads a press release issued by the board.

Nevertheless, the release noted,the process used to deal with the matter complies with the Police Act and advice from legal counsel and the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner (OPCC).

"With respect to the Chief's leadership of the department, the board is committed to making a timely decision on this important issue," continuedtherelease.

'Deeply humiliated'

OnSunday, Elsner said he was "deeply humiliated"after theVictoria Police Board placed a formal reprimand on his record, the first in his 33-year career.

But in response to the union's statement, Elsnersaidhe hasconfidence "we will continue serving the public with the professionalism for which theVicPDis known," and thathe willcontinue to serve as chief.

The board'sinternal investigation found there was no inappropriate relationship involving Elsner and there was no breach of the public's trust in the department, but that the online messages did cross a line.

TheOffice of the Police Complaint Commissioner, which provides civilian oversight of complaints about municipal police, is now conducting an independent review of that internal investigation.