The Saanich Police Department is currently assisting the Central Saanich Police Service by providing additional officers following the death of Sgt. Matthew Ball, who was one of two CSPS officers who were charged with sexual assault on Tuesday.

On Dec 17, the Vancouver Police Department announced that Ball and Const. Ryan Johnston were arrested and charged on one count each of sexual assault, and Ball was also charged with a count of breach of trust. It was reported on Wednesday, Dec. 18 that Ball had died after being released on bail.

Saanich PD said on Thursday, Dec. 19 that they will be assisting the CSPS for the day by managing calls for service in their jurisdiction at the request of CSPS Chief Const. Ian Lawson, "which is a consistant practice amongst cooperating agencies when required to ensure frontline services are maintained," according to a statement from Saanich PD.

"This is taking place while supports are provided to Central Saanich Police Service officers to process the recent events," noted the statement.

During the announcement at Vancouver Police headquarters on Tuesday, VPD Deputy Chief Fiona Wilson explained that over a seven-week period, a team of VPD officers investigated the accused after a woman reported the alleged unlawful sexual contact between 2019 and 2023.

"Details of these arrests may shock many of you. They will reverberate throughout the community in which these officers serve and beyond," Wilson told reporters. 

"Allegations like these are deeply corrosive to the public trust police officers depend on to keep their communities safe."

The Central Saanich Police Service said at the time that the officers were suspended that the department has begun the process to suspend them without pay.

B次元官网网址淩egardless of who is accused, when these allegations were brought forward, they were taken very seriously, acted upon immediately and resulted in criminal charges,B次元官网网址� said Lawson, adding he would not comment further to ensure the integrity of the case is not impacted.