A serving Dorset police officer has been charged with two counts of rape.
PC Ravi Canhye is alleged to have committed the offences while off-duty. The 46-year-old, who has been suspended from his role, is due to appear at Poole magistrates court on Friday.
A Dorset police spokesperson said he had been charged with eight sexual offences including two charges of rape. “The charges relate to offences against two women committed while Ravi Canhye was off-duty during early 2022,” they said, adding that Canhye “was immediately suspended at the time the allegations were made and has remained suspended throughout the investigation”.
They added: “The matter was subject of a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct who has decided it should be subject to a local investigation by Dorset police.
“We understand that charges of this nature will quite rightfully cause concern within our communities. However, due to the ongoing legal proceedings, we are prevented from commenting on this matter any further at this time.”