Two Central Saanich Police Service (CSPS) officers have been arrested on sexual assault charges following an investigation by Vancouver police, the VPD said at a news conference Tuesday.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) said it launched the investigation on October 28 at the request of CSPS.
In an earlier statement, the VPD said a man received information about two officers who allegedly had “unlawful sexual contact” with a woman he met while on duty.
Two officers from the Central Saanich Police Service – Matthew Ball, 43, and Ryan Johnston, 40 – have each been charged with sexual misconduct.
Vancouver Police Deputy Chief Fiona Wilson told reporters that the two officers each had a relationship with a vulnerable woman in her mid-20s, who was an adult at the time of the alleged crime.
“The current evidence suggests that each officer formed separate, intimate and inappropriate relationships at different times after meeting the woman in the course of their duties,” she said.
“Allegations like this are deeply corrosive to the public trust police officers depend on to keep their communities safe.”
Ball was charged in connection with the alleged crimes in Central Saanich between February 1, 2019 and October 31, 2023. A case of betrayal has also been filed against him.
Johnston was indicted in connection with the alleged crimes that occurred between February 6 and March 8, 2020.
Wilson said Ball, a sergeant who worked as a patrol officer when he was arrested, had served in the Calgary Police Service for about 12 years before joining the CSPS in 2016.
Johnston, a junior in the CSPS General Investigations Section, was hired in 2017.
Wilson said he has been in contact with CSPS Chief Constance. Ian Lawson made the allegations, as well as the Calgary Police Service.
In a statement, the Calgary Police Service was notified of the allegations against the force.
“We are deeply disappointed that this former member has been accused of behaving in this way,” the statement said. “This behavior does not reflect the values of our service, nor the good work that most of our members do every day.”
Central Saanich is a municipality in Greater Victoria, approximately 20 kilometers north of the provincial capital. As of the 2021 census, its population was less than 17,400.
In a statement on the police service's website, the Central Saanich Police Service said it has 28 officers and six civilian members.
Wilson said it's possible the two officers knew each other, but investigators don't believe they worked together on the alleged crimes.
Vancouver Police Deputy Chief Fiona Wilson provides a media update on two officers from the Central Saanich Police Service who were arrested following a police investigation on allegations of illicit sex.
Lawson said in a statement that the service had notified the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner about the allegations and that the police watchdog was investigating.
“To say that I am shocked and saddened to learn of these allegations would be an understatement,” Lawson said.
Lawson said the members had been suspended, and that the service was considering suspending them without pay after consulting with senior legal counsel.
The chief constable added that Central Saanich was a community where many knew police officers by their first names, and the allegations would affect public trust.
The VPD said that with the help of the Victoria Police, both men were taken into custody on Tuesday morning.
They are asking anyone with more information about the case to call a dedicated tipline at 604-717-0604.
