Victoria police chief vows transparency as constable is charged with sexual assault

VICTORIA — Victoria’s police chief has announced that one of her department’s constables has been charged with sexual assault, saying she believed in transparency because such an incident could “shake the public’s trust.”

Chief Constable Fiona Wilson said the single charge against Const. Chris Kayiatos followed an external investigation and was related to an alleged off-duty incident.

Such cases “are serious for those directly affected, and they are serious for public confidence in policing,” she said on at a news conference on Friday.

“When a police officer is charged with a criminal offence, it has a broader affect on trust, on our profession, and on the many members of this organization, who serve our communities with integrity each and every day.”

Wilson said the case did not reflect the standards of professionalism and conduct expected of Victoria police officers.

She said the charges against Kayiatos stemmed from an alleged incident first reported to the department in April 2025 by a third-party agency, which she said she could not identify.

The department immediately turned the matter over to the West Shore RCMP as the police of jurisdiction, and the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, as per the Police Act, she said.

Wilson said Kayiatos, who started with the department in 2019, had been suspended but enjoyed the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in court.

“There is no information that leads us to believe that Const. Kayiatos’ conduct is related to on-duty behaviour,” she said. “Until yesterday, he was a uniformed, front-line member, and has been with VicPD for several years.”

Wilson said the department would continue to fully co-operate with the investigation but deferred all questions about the victim and the circumstances of the incident to the Mounties.

She said the person who came forward about the alleged incident showed courage. “We recognize that speaking about experiences of this nature can be profoundly difficult, and I commend the strength and resolve it took to do so.”

Wilson, who was sworn in last August, said the department remained committed to accountability and transparency, as this matter moved through the judicial process.

“When I started this job at VicPD, I made a commitment to the public, to our Victoria-Esquimalt Police Board and to all of the sworn and civilian members who work in this organization, that I would be open, honest and transparent,” she said.

Wilson said that was why she addressed the media Friday. “When issues like this arise, I will be forthcoming with information when I can be, and be honest and transparent with the public.”

Wilson said the department had offered several support systems for staff. “A matter like this really reverberates through our organization, and throughout our communities. So, I have sent out internal messaging to all staff, shortly before being here today, and I have encouraged everyone to reach out through their chain of command in the event they need help.”

RCMP E Division said it was unable to comment because the matter was before the courts.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press