Senior Queensland police officer charged over alleged 1999 rape

A senior Queensland police officer has been suspended after being charged with rape, following allegations of a sexual assault while off duty more than 20 years ago.

A senior Queensland Police officer has been charged with rape, with allegations he sexually assaulted a woman more than 20 years ago.

Police allege the officer, who is now a commissioned member of the Queensland Police Service, was off-duty at the time of the alleged rape in 1999.

“Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Group charged the 52-year-old male commissioned officer with one count of rape (on Tuesday),” a statement from Queensland Police said.

“The woman, who was known to the man, was 27 years old at the time of the alleged offence.”

A commissioned officer is one of the most senior members of the QPS, and must hold a rank of Inspector or above.

The police officer has been suspended from duty with the Queensland Police Service.

He is due to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 19.

Originally published as Senior Queensland police officer charged over alleged 1999 rape