A former Calgary police officer, who worked for the service as a Sergeant for 12-years, was charged by the Vancouver Police Department while working for the Central Saanich Police Service in B.C.
Matthew Ball, 43, was charged with two counts of breach of trust and sexual assault, for alleged offences that occurred in 2019 and 2023.
Ball was found deceased in a forested area of Shawnigan Lake on Dec. 18, according to the Times Colonist. No foul play was suspected by the RCMP.
He was charged alongside officer Ryan Johnston, 40, who was charged with one count of sexual assault for alleged offences that occurred in 2020.
The investigation into the officers began at the request of the Central Saanich Police Service, after information was provided to the service about the two officers having allegedly unlawful sexual contact with a woman they met on duty.
“Allegations like these are deeply corrosive to the public trust police officers depend on to keep their communities safe,” said Fiona Wilson, Deputy Chief, Vancouver Police Investigation Division.
“To maintain trust in the criminal justice system, we must always be prepared to fully investigate allegations of misconduct and wrongdoing within our own ranks, and to recommend criminal charges when compelling evidence exists.”
The Calgary Police said that they were informed on Dec. 17 about the charges against Ball.
In a statement provided to LWC, they said that they were deeply disappointed in the allegations levelled against their former officer.
“This behaviour is not reflective of the values of our Service, nor the good work done by the majority of our members every day. We have zero tolerance for these behaviours and cooperated fully with the Vancouver Police Department investigation.”
The Calgary Police Service recently issued a Canada wide arrest warrant for former CPS officer Brett Singer, after an investigation into his use of CPS computer resources to engage in allegedly inappropriate relationships.
At the time, Calgary Police Chief Mark Neufeld said that he had zero tolerance for that within the service.
“This type of behaviour certainly does undermine trust and confidence with the public in a very serious way. It actually runs contrary to the work that the members of the Calgary Police Service do in the community every day.”
