Vancouver Police Union criticizes assault case’s handling after officer’s suicide

VANCOUVER — The president of the Vancouver Police Union has criticized the handling of a sexual assault case that ended in the suicide of a Central Saanich Police officer.

Ralph Kaisers says in a letter to members that was obtained by The Canadian Press that the “tragic loss” of the officer came after public statements that risked “undermining the presumption of innocence.”

The comments Kaisers refers to were made in a Vancouver Police Department news release and by Deputy Chief Fiona Wilson on Tuesday after the arrest of two Central Saanich officers who were accused of sexually assaulting the same woman in separate incidents.

Kaisers says Wilson’s description of the allegations as “deeply corrosive to public trust” before any trial or conviction prejudges the case and casts a shadow over the entire law enforcement community.

Media reports said Wednesday that 43-year-old Sgt. Matthew Ball died by suicide shortly after being accused of one count each of sexual assault and breach of trust.

The letter says learning of the tragic loss of one of the officers involved emphasizes the urgent need for police agencies across B.C. to practice what they preach when it comes to trauma-informed approaches.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 19, 2024.

Darryl Greer, The Canadian Press