A 15-year South Simcoe Police Service officer has been charged with dishonorable conduct following an allegation of sexual assault.

The police department said it received a complaint last October from the Office of the Independent Police Review Director alleging the officer sexually assaulted a woman.

The Service said it informed Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of the allegation and that the officer was assigned to administrative duties.

Although the SIU investigation determined that it could not lay criminal charges, an investigation under the Police Services Act was warranted, which resulted in the accused being charged with nine counts of misconduct involving two complainants.

The South Simcoe Police Service said the officer was on leave.

The officer appeared virtually in police court on Friday and is expected to appear again next month via teleconference.