Three Toronto cops charged in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a female officer have been released on $15,000 bail.

The officers, Joshua Cabero, 28, Leslie Nyznik, 38, and Sameer Kara, 31, appeared in court at 2201 Finch Avenue West earlier this morning and have each been charged with sexual assault and gang sexual assault.

The officers have also been prohibited from drinking alcohol and possessing guns and have been ordered to avoid contact with the complainant and 20 witnesses.

Toronto police say the men, whose time with the service ranges from four to six years, were all off-duty at the time of the alleged offences.

Toronto Police Association President Mike McCormack confirmed earlier this month that the officers, who all work in 51 Division, were suspended with pay when a sexual assault complaint was launch against them by a female officer in the parking enforcement unit.

Mark Pugash, a spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, says there will be an internal investigation after the criminal case is complete.

The professional standards unit will lead the investigation and the maximum allowable penalty is dismissal from the Toronto Police Service, he said.

Pugash said the victim will continue to receive a full range of support from the police service but said no additional information will be released about the complainant.

McCormack told CP24 Thursday that he is "extremely concerned about the nature of the charges."

"It is before the courts, it has been investigated, charges have been laid and now it is in the proper forum where evidence can be heard and it will be judged there. And until it goes through the court process, I can't really speak to it anymore," he said.

When asked if the officers' legal fees will be paid for by the police union, McCormack said they would have to apply for legal coverage.

"There is a strict criterion around that coverage but that is a matter between us and the members," he added.

"We don't discuss it publicly."

When questioned about whether the police service should be responsible for investigating themselves, McCormack said internal probes are "very transparent."

"We have competent investigators and we don't see that being a conflict at all," he said.

"As you can see charges have been brought against these officers."

Toronto police chief Bill Blair told reporters Thursday afternoon that the police service treats sexual assault investigations "very seriously for all victims of sex crimes." 

"I am not going to comment on any aspect of this investigation or this particular case. The matter is before the courts. I will tell you that we have taken what I believe are the appropriate steps to ensure that the support is provided to this individual and to other members of our service and members of the public who may have had a similar experience and require our support," Blair said.

While speaking to reporters Thursday, Mayor John Tory called the allegations "disturbing."

“I hope that we don’t see these kinds of things happen very often but now there is a process in place and that process will unfold both through the judicial system and also (through an) internal police investigation," he said.

"I trust all those findings will end up in the hands of the public and they will be able to see it dealt with that way.”