Richard Dessimo.
A hearing is set for January 20, 2016 for the police officer accused of allegedly verbally and physically abusing an American tourist on the Marigot Beach on December 15, 2014.
St. Lucia News Online (SNO) understands that a hearing was initially set for April 2, 2015, two days after the tourist, Richard Dessimo, was leaving Saint Lucia, due to ill health.
The Police Complaints Department asked Dessimo if he was still wanted to pursue the matter and he replied in the affirmative. The US citizen will therefore be returning in January for the hearing.
Dissimo has accused the male police officer of damaging his phone, while he was filming the sunset. According to him, the officer believed that he was videoing him instead and grabbed his phone and, physically and verbally abused him.
Even when he explained to the officer that he wasn’t filming him, the tourist was allegedly chased off the beach.
Dessimo said he felt insulted and believes that the police did not conduct himself professionally.
The 65-year-old man said he loves St. Lucia for its beautiful beaches. He first came to the island a few years back and returned months later, where he spent a few more weeks. He came back in December 2014 to spend five months.
The matter was also reported to St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA).