A Durham regional police officer is facing a sexual assault charge.

Durham police say the force's professional standards unit started an investigation earlier this month when a woman made an allegation about an off-duty officer.

They say 40-year-old Const. Jack Stelwagen is charged with sexual assault and has been released on a promise to appear.

The force says Stelwagen has been suspended from duty.

He has been an officer with Durham police since 2007.