A Guelph police officer has been charged with assault in connection with an incident that happened earlier this year.

Sgt. Rodney Cox has been charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) says police were at a residential building in Guelph when Cox interacted with a 45-year-old man who was not connected to the original incident being investigated.

The police watchdog says the man was taken to the police station before being transported to hospital where he was diagnosed with serious injuries.

Cox is scheduled to appear in court later on July 23.

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.