CBC News has learned that a Central Saanich Police Service (CSPS) officer has died after being accused of sexual assault on Tuesday.
Matthew Ball killed himself on Tuesday, according to multiple police sources.
News of his death comes a day after the 43-year-old was charged with one count each of sexual assault and breach of trust after the Vancouver Police Department completed an investigation.
In revealing her findings Tuesday, VPD Deputy Chief Fiona Wilson said Ball and another officer, Ryan Johnston, both had inappropriate sexual contact with a woman they met while on duty.
Wilson told reporters that the two officers each had separate relationships with a frail woman in her mid-20s, who was an adult at the time of the alleged crime.
Ball was charged in connection with the alleged crimes in Central Saanich between February 1, 2019 and October 31, 2023.
Wilson said Ball, a sergeant who worked as a patrol officer when he was arrested, had served in the Calgary Police Service for about 12 years before joining the CSPS in 2016.
Vancouver police said the department was in contact with CSPS Chief Const. Ian Lawson made the allegations, as well as the Calgary Police Service.
In a statement, the Calgary Police Service was notified of the allegations against the force.
“We are deeply disappointed that this former member has been accused of behaving in this way,” the statement said. “This behavior does not reflect the values of our service, nor the good work that most of our members do every day.”
Johnston was indicted in connection with the alleged crimes that occurred between February 6 and March 8, 2020. The 40-year-old worked as a constable in the CSPS general investigation section and was hired in 2017.
Central Saanich is a municipality in Greater Victoria, approximately 20 kilometers north of the provincial capital. As of the 2021 census, its population was less than 17,400.
Lawson said in a statement that the service had notified the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner about the allegations and that the police watchdog was investigating. According to the service's website, it had a strength of 28 officers.
“To say that I am shocked and saddened to learn of these allegations would be an understatement,” Lawson said.
He said that the member has been suspended and suspension without pay is being done in consultation with the senior legal counsel.
Vancouver Police Deputy Chief Fiona Wilson provides a media update on two officers from the Central Saanich Police Service who were arrested following a police investigation on allegations of illicit sex.
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