Victoria police officer charged with sexual assault

The Victoria Police Department headquarters is shown: April 12, 2019. (CTV Vancouver Island)

An officer with the Victoria Police Department has been charged with sexual assault, authorities announced Friday.

The department says it was notified of an allegation of sexual assault involving a member in April of last year, and that it stemmed from an off-duty incident.

The West Shore RCMP conducted the criminal investigation.

“Given the seriousness of the information and the location of the incident, conduct of the criminal investigation was immediately transferred to the West Shore RCMP,” VicPD Chief Const. Fiona Wilson said during a press conference on Friday.

The external investigation resulted in the B.C. Prosecution Service approving one sexual assault charge against 31-year-old Const. Chris Kayiatos.

Wilson said Kayiatos was suspended Thursday after his arrest and “his duty status is subject to continual review and assessment.”

“Allegations of this nature are extremely serious. They are serious for those directly affected, and they are serious for public confidence in policing,” Wilson said.

“It is important to be clear that an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” she added. “This principle is fundamental to our justice system and must be respected as this matter proceeds.”

A Police Act investigation by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner is also underway.

Wilson said Kayiatos was a front-line officer, who has worked at the department since 2019. He has been released from custody.

“During the investigation, there was consideration for mitigating any risk to the department, to the public, both on and off duty,” Wilson said. “Any further details or information about that would have to be referred to the West Shore RCMP.”

The RCMP declined to comment on the investigation, as the matter is before the courts.

In December of 2024, a Central Saanich Police officer took his own life after he was charged with sexual assault.

Wilson said support is being made available to Kayiatos and the rest of her staff.

“I recognize that matters like this can shake the public’s trust in police and I feel very strongly that being open and transparent and honest about these matters when they do arise, is a way to address that very thing,” Wilson said.

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If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:

• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.
• The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres' website has a comprehensive list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling. 
• The Ending Violence Association of Canada‘s website has links to helplines, support services and locations across Canada that offer sexual assault kits.
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: [phone] or [phone] (24/7)
• Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: [phone] (24/7)
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone] (24/7)
• Trans Lifeline: [phone]
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
• Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre for current and former Canadian Armed Forces members: [phone]
• Read about your rights as a victim on the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime website.