The mayor of Victoria, B.C., announced Thursday that the chief of police had been removed from his position until allegations of misconduct could be investigated.

"Police Chief Paul Battershill is on administrative leave effective immediately to enable the police board to review and respond to the issues that have been brought to our attention," Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe said in a statement released Thursday.

Battershill was suspended with pay after an emergency police board meeting was called late Wednesday to discuss a letter that alleged misconduct. Officials have not officially said what the allegations against him are.

"It's a personnel issue that has come to light which the police board felt that we needed to review. Obviously we needed to give the chief time as well to review the allegations and seek further direction," Lowe told reporters.

The suspension was believed to be sparked by Freedom of Information requests made by lawyer David Mulroney.

Mulroney told CTV News the requests were made for a client concerned about the quality of policing in Victoria's downtown.

"My client disagrees with some of the allocation of resources that has been going on and feels that we haven't had as good of policing as we could have," Mulroney told CTV News. "We have no specific knowledge of impropriety and therefore it would not be fair to characterize it as anything other than fishing."

Mulroney made two related Freedom of Information requests in September, both focused on Battershill's expense accounts and details about personnel dismissals.

The first request asked for information on the salary, benefits and employment-related expenses of senior personnel at the Victoria Police Department.

It also asked for the chief's records of expense dating back to 2004.

The second request asked for all records of any civilian and regular personnel dismissed without cause from the Victoria Police Department since 2004.

As well, information on a review into taser use done by Battershill was requested.

Mulroney also sought information surrounding Battershill's role overseeing the investigation of Const. Lisa Alford, of the West Vancouver Police Department.

Alford pleaded guilty to drunk driving in November 2005, after rear-ending a car on her way home from a drinking party held at her police station.

She retained her position with the police, but temporarily lost her licence and paid a $600 fine.

Mulroney said a letter he wrote to the law firm that represents the Victoria Police Department, pointing out the conflict of interest surrounding the police chief handling freedom of information requests for his own documents, was dismissed.

Lowe named Victoria's Deputy Chief Bill Naughton acting police chief until the conclusion of Battershill's review.

"It's not up to me to ask the chief to step down. The chief will have to make a decision in the future on what he decides," Lowe said.

CTV's Jim Beatty reported that Battershill has one week to challenge the allegations or resign his position.

With files from The Canadian Press and CTV British Columbia's Jim Beatty