to alleged incidents from 1997 when he was a constable

He's charged with sexual penetration and an indecent act with a child

Both alleged incidents relate to a child under the age of 16

A police officer has been suspended without pay after being charged with two sexual offences relating to a child under the age of 16.

The sergeant was charged after a police investigation of the alleged incidents, dating back to 1997, when he was a constable from the Southern Metro Region.

'The sergeant, who is based in the Southern Metro Region, has been charged with sexual penetration of a child under the age of 16 years and indecent act with a child under the age of 16 years,' a Victoria Police statement reads.

A Victoria police officer sergeant has been charged with the alleged rape of a child under the age of 16

The sergeant will appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 31 July and has been suspended without pay.