A high-ranking and longtime Peel Regional Police officer has been charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident involving a female officer at a restaurant.

Tony Loparco, director of the province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which probes all cases involving police that end in death, serious injuries or allegations of sexual assault, announced the charge March 26 against 48-year-old Inspector Dan Johnstone.

The SIU was contacted by Peel police on November 28, 2017 regarding a complaint of a sexual nature against the officer.

The alleged assault occurred on May 11, 2017 and involved a woman at a Mississauga restaurant.