2 Central Saanich Police Officers Arrested, Charged with Sexual Assault of Same Woman

Two officers from the Central Saanich Police Service (CSPS) have been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting the same woman following an investigation by the Vancouver Police Department (VPD).

At a press conference on Tuesday, VPD Deputy Chief Fiona Wilson revealed that Sgt. Matthew Ball, 43, and Const. Ryan Johnston, 40, are accused of having "unlawful sexual contact" with a woman they met while performing their duties.

Wilson said the woman, who is in her mid-20s and was an adult at the time of the alleged offences, had separate intimate relationships with both officers.

"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," Wilson said.

Allegations and Charges

The allegations against Ball and Johnston include one count of sexual assault for each officer.

Ball has also been charged with breach of trust for offences alleged to have occurred between February 1, 2019, and October 31, 2023, in Central Saanich.

Johnston’s charges relate to incidents alleged to have taken place between February 6 and March 8, 2020.

Wilson confirmed the officers are believed to have known each other but stated that investigators do not believe they collaborated in the alleged offences.

Officer Backgrounds

Matthew Ball: Ball served with the Calgary Police Service for 12 years before joining CSPS in 2016. He worked as a sergeant and patrol officer at the time of his arrest.

Ryan Johnston: Johnston, a constable in the CSPS general investigation section, was hired by the department in 2017.

The Calgary Police Service released a statement expressing disappointment in the allegations against Ball, stating that such behavior does not reflect the values of their service.

Investigation and Public Trust

The VPD launched the investigation on October 28 at the request of CSPS. Wilson described the allegations as "deeply corrosive to the public trust police officers depend on to keep their communities safe."

Central Saanich Police Chief Const. Ian Lawson has been in contact with VPD and the Calgary Police Service regarding the case.

Community Impact

Central Saanich, a municipality in Greater Victoria with a population of just under 17,400, is home to a police service consisting of 28 officers and six civilian members.

The case underscores the importance of accountability and public trust in law enforcement, with the charges against the two officers raising serious concerns about misconduct within the force.

The investigation continues, and the allegations have not been proven in court.