Saanich police officer commits suicide after being charged with sexual assault

 

The Vancouver Sun is reporting that "Two police officers in Greater Victoria have been charged with unlawful sexual contact with a woman they met while on duty. 

"The Central Saanich Police Service asked the Vancouver Police Department to investigate after receiving a report of the allegations on Oct. 28. On Tuesday, prosecutors filed charges against Matthew Ball, 43, for sexual assault and breach of trust for alleged offences between Feb. 1, 2019, and Oct. 31, 2023. Ball, a sergeant, worked for the Calgary Police Service for 12 years and has been in Central Saanich since 2016."

"Ryan Johnson, 40, was charged with sexual assault for alleged offences between Feb. 6 and March 8, 2020. Johnson became a constable in Central Saanich in 2017."

"Ball and Johnson are believed to have acted independently, Wilson alleged, but had separate, intimate relationships at different times with the woman."

CBC is reporting that "CBC News has learned that a Central Saanich Police Services (CSPS) officer charged with sexual assault on Tuesday has died. Several police sources say Matthew Ball died by suicide Tuesday."

Well this is a complete tragedy. Sexual assault is a serious allegation and suicide is a tragic end to someone's life.

What I find strange is that Matthew Ball was charged with sexual assault for alleged offences between Feb. 1, 2019, and Oct. 31, 2023. That's a very long period of time. It wasn't just one act of rape. It has the appearance of a relationship.

Ryan Johnson was charged with sexual assault for alleged offences between Feb. 6 and March 8, 2020. Offenses over a two month period over 4 years ago. 

It all sounds very strange. Obviously if someone was raped by a police officer there would be a hesitancy in reporting it out of a fear that nothing would get done and reporting it would cause a violent reaction. Yet as the police union said there is the presumption of innocence until found guilty in a court of law. 

I do recall once a female cop was having an affair with another cop and when he spouse found out about it she charged him with sexual assault. We do know E Division has had a long history of inappropriate sexual relationships.