Toronto police officer charged with aggravated assault: SIU

Ontario's police watchdog says a Toronto officer has been charged after a man was seriously injured in January.

In a news release Wednesday, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said its director, Joseph Martino, has reasonable grounds to believe the officer committed a criminal offence that resulted in a 48-year-old man being seriously injured in Toronto.

The SIU confirmed to CBC News that the incident happened while the man was in police custody, but did not provide any further details.

"The SIU Act legislation prohibits us from releasing additional information beyond the name of the officer, charge(s) laid and court appearance info," SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette said in an email Wednesday.

As a result of the agency's investigation, the officer was charged with one count of aggravated assault.He is scheduled to appear in Toronto court on Sept. 5.

"As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on the investigation," the release said.

Toronto police declined to comment on the charge as the matter is before the courts.

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of police officers in incidents that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault or the discharge of a firearm at a person.