Two Central Saanich police officers were arrested on their way to work Tuesday and charged with sexually assaulting the same woman. The charges follow a seven-week covert investigation by a special team with the Vancouver Police Department.
The two have been suspended and the process to seek suspension without pay is underway, Central Saanich Chief Ian Lawson said in a statement.
“It would be an understatement to say that I was shocked and saddened to learn about these allegations,” said Lawson, adding Central Saanich is a small community where many people know officers by their first names.
“That is, in fact, part of what makes our police service unique. Obviously, these allegations impact that public trust.”
The allegations that the two Central Saanich officers committed sexual offences against the same woman while on duty date back to January 2019. They were reported to an on-duty officer in late October, Vancouver Deputy Police Chief Fiona Wilson, who commands the Vancouver Police Department’s Investigation Division, said at a news conference Tuesday.
“Until today, we have not been able to speak publicly about this investigation because it has been conducted covertly in order to secure and preserve key pieces of evidence,” Wilson said.
She said both officers have been criminally charged and remain in custody pending bail hearings that are expected to take place “momentarily.”
Matthew Ball, 43, a sergeant, is facing one count of sexual assault and one count of breach of trust, for offences alleged to have occurred between Feb. 1, 2019, and Oct. 31, 2023, in Central Saanich.
Under Canadian law, breach of trust occurs when a public officer, including a police officer, intentionally or knowingly commits an act that violates their oath of office or position of trust, Wilson said.
Prior to Ball’s arrest, he worked as a patrol officer in Central Saanich. He served with the Calgary Police Service for about 12 years before he was hired to work in Central Saanich in 2016, Wilson said.
The Governor General of Canada’s website indicates that a Matthew Ball received a police exemplary service medal on May 27 of this year.
Wilson said the Vancouver Police Department has been in contact with the Calgary Police Service to update them on the status of the investigation, including the arrests and charges.
Ryan Johnston, 40, a constable, is charged with one count of sexual assault for offences alleged to have occurred between Feb. 6, 2020 and March 8, 2020 in Central Saanich.
He was hired by Central Saanich police in 2017 and worked in the general investigation section.
The two were arrested by the Vancouver Police Department with assistance from the Victoria Police Department.
The charges relate to one woman, an adult who was in a vulnerable position when the offences are alleged to have occurred. She is in her mid-20s now, said Wilson, who praised the woman for coming forward, saying: “Without your courage, we would not be here today.”
A dedicated tip line has been set up for anyone wishing to speak with investigators at 604-717-0604.
Investigators believe that Ball and Johnston acted independently when the offences took place, Wilson said.
“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.”
A specialized team of sex-crime investigators was set up to carry out the investigation, overseen by a team commander with training and experience in major cases, said Wilson. She said the team worked to obtain and analyze evidence to support the victim and witnesses and to corroborate information about the alleged offences.
At any one time, approximately 25 officers were involved in the investigation, she said.
“Allegations like these are deeply corrosive to the public trust police officers depend on to keep their communities safe,” Wilson said. “To maintain trust in the criminal-justice system, we must always be prepared to fully investigate allegations of misconduct and wrongdoing within our own ranks, and to recommend criminal charges when compelling evidence exists.”
The Central Saanich Police Service consists of 28 officers and six civilian members and serves a community of about 17,000 people, its website says.
Lawson, the Central Saanich police chief, said the officer who received information about the allegations notified the deputy chief. Given the serious nature of the allegations, the Vancouver Police Department was contacted and began its investigation.
An investigation by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner is underway, he said.
