B.C. Police Officer Dies by Suicide After Being Charged with Sexual Assault

A Central Saanich Police Services (CSPS) officer charged with sexual assault died by suicide on Tuesday, according to multiple police sources.

Matthew Ball, 43, faced charges of one count each of sexual assault and breach of trust. The charges stemmed from an investigation by the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) into allegations that Ball and another officer, Ryan Johnston, had inappropriate sexual contact with a vulnerable woman in her mid-20s.

The Allegations

VPD Deputy Chief Fiona Wilson announced the charges Tuesday, stating that the two officers had separate, intimate relationships with the woman, who was an adult at the time of the alleged incidents.

Ball’s charges related to offences alleged to have occurred between February 2019 and October 2023. Johnston, 40, faces charges for alleged offences between February and March 2020.

Ball, a sergeant, joined CSPS in 2016 after serving with the Calgary Police Service for approximately 12 years. Johnston, a constable in the general investigation section, was hired in 2017.

Reactions and Investigations

In a statement, Central Saanich Police Chief Const. Ian Lawson expressed his shock and sadness over the allegations.

“It would be an understatement to say that I was shocked and saddened to learn about these allegations,” Lawson said.

Both officers had been suspended, and the department was consulting legal counsel to move toward suspending them without pay. Lawson confirmed that the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner has been notified, and the police watchdog is now investigating.

The Calgary Police Service, where Ball previously worked, also issued a statement expressing disappointment over the allegations.

“We are deeply disappointed that this former member is alleged to have conducted themselves in this manner,” the statement read. “This behaviour is not reflective of the values of our service, nor the good work done by the majority of our members every day.”

Community Impact

Central Saanich, a municipality in Greater Victoria with a population of just under 17,400, has been rocked by the news. The small police force has only 28 officers, according to its website.

The allegations and Ball’s subsequent death highlight the devastating impact of misconduct within law enforcement. It raises questions about accountability and the need for comprehensive support structures for both victims and those accused of misconduct.

Johnston remains charged and under investigation, with proceedings ongoing. Meanwhile, the community grapples with the implications of these events and their impact on trust in the police force.