Delano Christopher Explained

Delano Christopher
Birth Date:10 October 1950
Birth Place:Nut Grove, Antigua and Barbuda
Death Date:11 February 2024
Death Place:Gunthorpes
Known For:first female police commissioner in the Caribbean
Employer:Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda
Occupation:Police officer
Successor:Gary Nelson

Delano Christopher QPM (10 October 1950 – 11 February 2024) was the first female police commissioner in the Caribbean. 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 in Saint John, Antigua and Barbuda. 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.[1] In the following year as part of the 2006 Birthday Honours, Christopher received the Queen's Police Medal in recognition of her service to the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.[2]

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.[3] She retired having served the police for 39 years.[4] 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.[5]

Christopher died at her home in Gunthorpes in 2024.[6] [7] 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.[8] A petition was raised to rename the street where the Police Headquarters is, American Road, after Delano Christopher.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 11 February 2024 . First female Commissioner of Police passes . 6 April 2024 . Antigua Observer.
  2. Antigua & Barbuda list:
  3. Web site: 1 March 2008 . Canadian Police Commission for Antigua . 6 April 2024 . Radio Jamaica.
  4. News: 14 March 2024 . Delano Christopher: Caribbean’s trailblazing first female police commissioner laid to rest . 6 April 2024 . Antigua Observer.
  5. Web site: Gary Nelson Claimant v The Attorney Generl Colin Derrick, Minister of Justice v The Police Service Commission Defendants [ECSC] ]. 2024-04-06 . vLex . en.
  6. Web site: Editor . 2024-02-11 . Former Commissioner of Police, Ms. Delano Christopher has Died . 2024-04-06 . Antigua News Room . en-US.
  7. Web site: Antigua’s first female commissioner of police has died Loop Caribbean News . 2024-04-06 . Loop News . en.
  8. Web site: Editor . 2024-02-14 . United Progressive Party Extends Condolences to Family of Former Commissioner of Police . 2024-04-06 . Antigua News Room . en-US.
  9. Web site: Editor . 2024-03-12 . Petition Launched to Honor First Female Commissioner . 2024-04-06 . Antigua News Room . en-US.