Delano Christopher QPM (10 October 1950 – 11 February 2024) was the first female police commissioner in the

Caribbean The Caribbean (, ) ( es, El Caribe; french: la Caraïbe; ht, Karayib; nl, De Caraïben) is a region of the Americas that consists of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (some surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and some bordering both the Caribbean Se ...

. She served for 39 years during which she was appointed to lead the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda in 2005.

Life

Christopher was born in 1950 in

Nut Grove Nut Grove, also known as the William Walsh House, is a historic house located on McCarty Avenue in Albany, New York, United States. It is a brick building originally designed in the Greek Revival architectural style by architect Alexander Jackso ...

Saint John, Antigua and Barbuda Saint John, officially the Parish of Saint John, is a civil parish of Antigua and Barbuda, on the northwestern portion of Antigua island. Its capital is the city of St. John's. Saint John borders Saint Mary, Saint Peter, Saint George, and Saint ...

. She went to Greenbay Primary School and attended the Moravian Church. She was appointed to lead the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda in 2005. She was the first woman commissioner in the Caribbean. In the following year as part of the

2006 Birthday Honours The Birthday Honours 2006 for the Commonwealth realms were announced on 17 June 2006, to celebrate the Queen's Birthday of 2006.Antigua & Barbuda list: The recipients of honours are displayed here as they were styled before their new honour, and ...

, Christopher received the

Queen's Police Medal The King's Police Medal (KPM) is awarded to police in the United Kingdom for gallantry or distinguished service. It was also formerly awarded within the wider British Empire, including Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth countries, most of whic ...

in recognition of her service to the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.Antigua & Barbuda list: In 2008 she was sent on vacation leave and almost immediately a new commissioner Gary Nelson was appointed. Nelson was a Canadian and he was given the new job as a result of an inspection by another Canadian police officer, Alphonse Breau, in 2007. She retired having served the police for 39 years. Christopher's replacement's term ended in a court case. The police force belatedly tried to agree a contract with him in 2008 and when Gary Nelson refused the terms he was dismissed and the matter ended in court. Christopher died at her home in Gunthorpes in 2024. Her funeral in her Moravian church was attended by the police. The leader of the opposition United Progressive Party sent a tribute noting her as a role model for other women to also break glass ceilings. A petition was raised to rename the street where the Police Headquarters is, American Road, after Delano Christopher.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Christopher, Delano 1950 births 2024 deaths People from St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda Police officers Antigua and Barbuda police officers Recipients of the Queen's Police Medal