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Victoria police Chief Frank Elsner says he was “shocked” at being suspended and devastated at the impact of a probe into allegations that he sent inappropriate Twitter messages to the wife of a subordinate officer and engaged in harassment against female employees.

In an affidavit filed in a new court action seeking to sideline the investigation, Elsner says that he is “deeply troubled” by delays in completing an external probe launched by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner.

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“I have experienced a great deal of stress and anxiety as a result of the various investigations which has worsened as they have dragged out,” said Elsner in the affidavit filed in B.C. Supreme Court. “I am under the care of a doctor, who I meet with once every few weeks. I have had to start taking an anti-depressant and my doctor is highly concerned about my blood pressure.”

Elsner, who is currently suspended after the allegations surfaced in 2015, said he would like to resign as chief constable, so that he can take care of his health and try to move on with his life.