The Town of Qualicum Beach says Darryl Kohse — reinstated as of Monday — was not the fire chief when an alleged criminal incident, raised by Coun. Bill Luchtmeijer last week, occurred.
Kohse was appointed fire chief in 2009. The town did not say when the alleged incident occurred, but when the town released portions of the Fire Department Administrative Review Report, it included this from town spokesperson Patricia Huntsman: “Please note that the subject matter of what has been referred to the RCMP is alleged to have occurred prior to the commencement of the current fire chief’s appointment. There is no allegation that the current Fire Chief was involved in any way in this matter.”
On Thursday, the Town of Qualicum Beach sent this statement to The NEWS:
“The mayor, as spokesperson for the Town of Qualicum Beach, today released the following statement regarding recent media coverage concerning the notice of motion put forward by a member of council at Monday night’s council meeting regarding the fire department:
“Town council and staff are actively addressing the recommendations from the fire department Administrative Review. The fire chief had been removed from day to day operations during the Fire Service Administrative Review process. With the review of the report now completed, mayor and council have re-instated the fire chief. It is expected that the fire chief will be back on duty effective Monday, April 15, 2013. The Town of Qualicum Beach looks forward to working openly and effectively with the department in addressing the recommendations of the report, while continuing the department’s record of providing excellent service to the community, as cited in the report.”
In reaction to the news release, Luchtmeijer told The NEWS Friday morning council had not had a meeting regarding the re-instatement of the chief in the previous 48 hours.