Based on coverage from CBC, Global News, CP24, Castanet, and Vancouver Sun.
A Victoria Police Department officer has been charged with sexual assault after an external criminal investigation led by the West Shore RCMP. VicPD says the officer, Const. Chris Kayiatos, has been suspended, and Chief Const. Fiona Wilson is warning the case could shake public confidence in policing.
Kayiatos, 31, is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Sexual assault charge approved in B.C.
VicPD and the B.C. Prosecution Service say one sexual assault charge has been approved against Kayiatos. Police say the allegation involves an off-duty incident.
The Prosecution Service says the alleged offence happened on Oct. 10, 2024, somewhere in the Langford area. VicPD says it first learned of the allegation on April 10, 2025, through a third-party agency.
West Shore RCMP led external investigation
Wilson says VicPD immediately transferred the criminal investigation to the West Shore RCMP because of the seriousness of the allegation and the location of the incident. The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner is also involved through a Police Act investigation, which runs separately from the criminal court process.
The RCMP has declined to comment on details, saying the matter is before the courts. VicPD also deferred questions about the victim and the circumstances to the Mounties.
VicPD suspension and internal review plans
VicPD says Kayiatos was arrested Thursday and suspended right after. His duty status will be continually reviewed and assessed.
Wilson said Kayiatos has been a front-line officer with the department since 2019. She also said there have been no concerns flagged about his on-duty behaviour, based on what the department has seen so far.
At the same time, Wilson told reporters VicPD will be taking a “more fulsome look” at his police work in the months ahead, including whether he handled any sexual assault cases while the RCMP investigation was underway. She said VicPD had risk-mitigation strategies in place during the investigation to protect the public and the department, but directed further questions about those measures to the West Shore RCMP.
Chief Fiona Wilson on trust and accountability
Wilson called the allegation “extremely serious” and said it affects both the person directly impacted and public confidence in policing more broadly.
“Allegations of this nature are deeply concerning, and do not reflect the standards of professionalism and conduct expected of VicPD members,” she said, while also stressing the need for the justice system to run fairly and independently.
Wilson said VicPD is naming Kayiatos “in the interest of transparency and accountability.” She also commended the person who came forward, saying reporting sexual assault can be profoundly difficult.
Court date set for July 30
Kayiatos’ first court appearance is scheduled for July 30. VicPD says he has been released from custody.
Wilson said support is being offered to staff, and that Kayiatos is also being supported through union engagement, peer support and human resources as the case moves through court. She referenced the toll these cases can take, noting that a Central Saanich Police officer died by suicide in December 2024 after being charged with sexual assault.
For Victoria-area residents, the next major step is the first court appearance, while VicPD continues its own reviews alongside the Police Act process already underway.
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