A Vancouver Island Mountie has been charged with assault after a fellow officer complained that he used excessive force against a woman suspected of drunk driving.

Const. Kevan Cranmer, a Lake Cowichan RCMP officer with two-and-a-half years of service, was charged this week in connection to an impaired driving arrest on Dec. 13, 2010.

Another officer reported to superiors that he believed Cranmer was inappropriately rough while dealing with the woman. She was not seriously injured in the encounter, and did not complain about her treatment.

Cranmer remains on active duty and is scheduled to make his next appearance in Duncan provincial court on July 26.

An internal code of conduct investigation into Cranmer's actions is also underway.