Central Saanich police officers charged with sexual assault following VPD investigation

Ball and Johnston allegedly had "unlawful sexual contact with an adult woman they met while on duty."
Vancouver Police Department
Vancouver Police DepartmentScreenshot: YouTube
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Two officers from Central Saanich are facing charges following an investigation by the Vancouver Police Department.

Matthew Ball, 43, and Ryan Johnston, 40, have been charged with one count of sexual assault each, with the former also receiving one count of breach of trust.

According to the VPD, Ball and Johnston allegedly had "unlawful sexual contact with an adult woman they met while on duty" in the Central Saanich area between February 1, 2019 and October 31, 2023 and February 6, 2020 and March 8, 2020, respectively.

"Allegations like these are deeply corrosive to the public trust police officers depend on to keep their communities safe," Vancouver Police Investigation Division Deputy Chief Fiona Wilson said in a statement. "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."

Both Ball and Johnston, who worked for the Central Saanich Police Service, were arrested on Tuesday December 17 by members of the VPD with assistance from the Vancouver Police Department.

The Calgary Police Service has since announced that one of its former officers was also charged with sexual assault and breach of trust by the VPD, though it is unclear whether the cases are related.

"We are deeply disappointed that this former member is alleged to have conducted themselves in this manner," the CPS said in a statement. "This behaviour is not reflective of the values of our Service, nor the good work done by the majority of our members every day. We have zero tolerance for these behaviours and cooperated fully with the Vancouver Police Department investigation."

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