Frank Elsner gets off
thanks to Stan Lowe
But the guy who gets off easiest
is B.C.’s corrupt police complaint commissioner
April 12, 2017
Victoria police chief Frank Elsner escaped serious charges,
although not in the way B.C. police complaint commissioner
Stan Lowe intended.
Did B.C. police complaint commissioner Stan Lowe bungle this one or does this represent the ironic outcome of another Lowe cover-up? The Times Colonist reports that Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson has dismissed allegations of sexual impropriety against suspended-with-full-pay Victoria police chief Frank Elsner. Hinkson’s reason, according to the TC, is that Lowe’s order of a second investigation constituted an abuse of process, as it followed an earlier non-Police Act investigation of which Lowe approved. One investigation should have sufficed.
B.C.’s media, strongly reluctant to report critically about the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, might portray the second investigation as a determination on Lowe’s part to get tough with a wayward cop. At most, media might put it down to bungling on Lowe’s part. But they should consider the likelihood that the first, secret and non-Police Act investigation constitutes a Lowe cover-up. The second investigation, under the Police Act, took place only after media learned about Elsner’s conduct.
Lowe has offered lengthy excuses for his handling of the Elsner case but they failed to convince Hinkson. In November the judge said Lowe should have ordered an investigation earlier. That statement, when considered with Lowe’s track record, suggests another cover-up. Lowe has already covered up for Vancouver police constable Taylor Robinson and New Westminster cop Sukhwinder “Vinnie” Singh Dosanjh. On Lowe’s behalf, deputy police complaint commissioner Rollie Woods repeatedly lies about the Robinson case.
As in the Robinson case, the Elsner cover-up ended when media learned about the cop’s conduct. Only then did Lowe order a Police Act investigation. In Elsner’s case that ironically led to the abuse-of-process dismissal.
Elsner still faces a Police Act investigation into other allegations. But they concern his conduct regarding the second investigation. That alleged conduct wouldn’t have occurred had publicity not forced Lowe into ordering the second investigation.
Of course the publicity will probably cost Elsner his job. But that won’t happen before a very lengthy period on paid suspension. Furthermore he’s publicly admitted to actions that justify immediate dismissal. But the guy who’s getting off easiest is Lowe. B.C.’s most obviously corrupt character will likely coast to a generous retirement, when he’ll supplement his ill-gotten gains with government- or police-provided sinecures.
For that he can thank two otherwise warring political parties that give every indication they’re acting on behalf of a powerful police lobby, as well as an ethically corrupt legal establishment, collaborationist faux activists and compliant media.
That’s the way things are done in B.C.
Read more about Stan T. Lowe and the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner
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