COBOURG, Ont. - An investigation by Ontario's independent police watchdog has led to sexual assault charges against a provincial police officer.

The Special Investigations Unit says there are grounds to believe the officer committed sexual offences in a July 2010 incident involving teen girls.

The pair were 14 and 18 at the time.

Const. James Orser of the Northumberland detachment is charged with two counts of sexual assault and one of sexual interference.

He is due to appear in a Cobourg court on July 25.