Sexual Assault Case Against Former Police Officer Dismissed

The sexual assault charge against former police officer Durmen Dawson has been dismissed after a San Ignacio magistrate ruled that he has no case to answer.

Dawson appeared in the San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court today alongside complainant Luanna Gillett, where the court ruled that the sexual assault charge would not proceed. Dawson will only have to answer to a charge of harm.

Dawson was unrepresented in court.

The case stems from an incident on February 14, 2024, at the San Ignacio Police Station, where Gillett, then a police officer, alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Dawson. The incident was captured on surveillance video and widely circulated at the time. At that time, former Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told the media, “That matter was placed before a tribunal, and Dawson was tried and convicted by the adjudicator. The adjudicator recommended his dismissal based on the gravity of the charge. That recommendation came to me, and I affirmed the decision of the adjudicator in dismissing Dawson.”

Dawson was charged with sexual assault and harm following the incident. He was later dismissed from the Belize Police Department after an internal disciplinary process.