Sexual Assault Trial for Central Saanich Police Officer Delayed to 2027

New Court Dates Set Following In-Camera Hearing

A new trial date of February 2027 has been scheduled for Const. Ryan Johnston, a Central Saanich Police Service officer facing a sexual assault charge.

Johnston was originally slated to go to trial on Monday, Aug. 24. However, proceedings before Justice Bradford Smith took place mostly in camera while the court and legal counsel addressed an upcoming hearing regarding the admissibility of undisclosed evidence. Justice Smith scheduled an application hearing on the matter for December.

Background and Involvement of Multiple Agencies

The Vancouver Police Department initially announced charges in December 2024 against Johnston and Sgt. Matthew Ball, alleging each officer had a single count of sexual assault. Ball was additionally accused of breach of trust. According to investigators from the Vancouver Police Department, evidence indicated both officers separately engaged in intimate, inappropriate relationships at different times with a vulnerable woman they encountered through their official duties. Ball died by suicide the day after the charges were made public, as reported by other media outlets.

During Monday’s court appearance, legal representatives attended on behalf of Johnston, the Crown, the victim, the Central Saanich Police Service, the Victoria Police Department, and an unnamed female VicPD officer. The reason for VicPD’s legal representation in the proceedings remains unclear.

According to coverage by the Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, Vernon Morning Star, and Penticton Western News, Johnston was officially charged with one count of sexual assault in 2024.