2 B.C. police officers charged with sexual assault

Two officers with a Vancouver Island police department have been charged with the sexual assault of a "vulnerable" woman, authorities announced Tuesday.

The investigation into the members of the Central Saanich Police Service began on Oct. 28 after "a person came forward with information about two officers who allegedly had unlawful sexual contact with an adult woman they met while on duty," the Vancouver Police Department, which led the investigation, said in a statement.

Sgt. Matthew Ball, 43, has been charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of breach of trust.

Const. Ryan Johnston, 40, has been charged with one count of sexual assault.

At a news conference, Deputy Chief Fiona Wilson said the investigation thus far has proceeded “covertly,” in order to gather the evidence necessary to secure charge approval.

“These arrests are part of an active and ongoing investigation into alleged sexual offences committed by the two officers while on duty in Central Saanich and dating back to January 2019," she said.

Both men were arrested on their way to work Tuesday morning, and have since been released from custody.

"Details of these arrests may shock many of you. They will reverberate throughout the community in which these officers serve, and beyond. Allegations like these are deeply corrosive to the public trust police officers depend on to keep their communities safe," she said.

Wilson said the two men are not alleged to have worked together.

"The current evidence suggests that each officer formed separate intimate and inappropriate relationships with the woman at different times after meeting her during the course of their duties. Those relationships led to the alleged crimes for which the officers have now been charged," Wilson said.

"It is only seven weeks into this. We have a lot of follow up to do, and we will continue to gather evidence, and it is possible that there are additional charges that will be presented to Crown," she later added.

The victim is in her mid 20s, and Wilson applauded her for her bravery.

“I would like to speak directly to the woman who came forward several weeks ago to initiate this investigation. You trusted that police would believe you, support you, and investigate these extremely serious allegations with the tenacity that has led to today's arrests. Without your courage, we would not be here today,” Wilson said.

Asked to elaborate on why she described the victim as "vulnerable," Wilson declined out of concerns that providing further details could identify the young woman given that Central Saanich is a small and "tight-knit" community.

The municipality has a population of roughly 18,000.

Chief Const. Ian Lawson, of the Central Saanich Police Service, said the community is one in which "many people know police officers by first name." The department, according to its website, has an "authorized strength" of 28 sworn members.

"It would be an understatement to say that I was shocked and saddened to learn about these allegations," Lawson said in statement released shortly after the charges were announced.

Both officers have been now suspended, Lawson said, adding that they remained on duty while the investigation was underway because "doing so prior to the arrest would have alerted the individuals."

The two are still being paid, but Lawson said "the process to seek suspension without pay is underway."

Ball was working in the patrol division immediately prior to his arrest, and had been with the department since 2016. Prior to that, he served with the Calgary Police Service for 12 years, according to Wilson, who said Ball's former employer has been notified.

Johnston was assigned to the general investigation section, and was hired by the department in 2017.

A dedicated tipline has been set up by the Vancouver Police Department. Anyone with information is urged to call 604-717-0604.

Ball and Johnston’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2025, in Victoria.