I can't help but wonder how much of it was Helps' personal revulsion over the allegations. That the very thought of having to deal with this gross creep paralyzed her.
Lowe's report states:
"When comparing the two versions of the letter, there was one significant substantive difference in the content of the decision as set out below:
OPCC Version:
We understand that you have met several times with the affected officer and have and are taking steps to address your working relationship with him.
Former chief’s Version:
You will meet with the affected officer within your chain of command with an appropriate third part (sic) to speak to your actions and to take steps to address your working relationship with him.
The version provided to my office suggested that a reconciliation between the affected member and former chief was well underway, with active steps being taken towards normalizing relations. Based on our consultations with the affected member following receipt of the letter, and through evidence provided by the external investigation, this information was false and misleading."
Lowe included this highly specific information purposefully. It is evidence that the mayors tried to deceive OPCC. Far from being "paralyzed", Mayor Helps actively engaged in deceiving media, the Police Complaint Commissioner, and the VicPD member whose wife Elsner had exchanged tweets. That's a lot of coordinated deception.
David Broadland