Retired North Vancouver teacher arrested for indecent assaults against students going back to 70s and 80s

A retired North Vancouver elementary school teacher was arrested at his North Vancouver home this morning for seven counts of indecent assault against students who attended the school where he taught in the 70’s and 80’s.

Investigators also executed a search warrant at the man’s residence at the time of his arrest. Since June 14, 2022, when RCMP received the initial complaint about the man, now aged 82, a total of seven victims have come forward. Police believe there are additional victims, and are asking them to contact police at 604-969-7593.

“This is an ongoing, complex investigation involving allegations of sexual assaults that occurred over 40 years ago,” said Sgt. Peter DeVries of North Vancouver RCMP. “Many of these assaults took place during the time of this man’s employment as a teacher at Upper Lynn Valley Elementary School between 1970 and 1982, with additional assaults alleged to have occurred after his employment as a teacher ended in 1982.”

Police are aware that there has been communication through social media between some individuals who may have been impacted. They are asking those people to speak with police. “Our priorities right now are to speak with those who have not yet come forward, to gather all available evidence so we can thoroughly investigate these allegations, and to support all the victims as we undergo this process,” said DeVries.

“We know that this will be upsetting news for members of the community, and especially for the victims,” said DeVries. “For some, hearing about this may reignite memories of past trauma. If you are a victim, please, reach out for support. We want you to know that we are here, we will listen to you, and we will support you.” North Vancouver RCMP’s Crisis Intervention Unit provides support to victims and witnesses of crime and other significant traumatic events, and can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 604-969-7540.