Delano Christopher

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.

Delano Christopher
Born	10 October 1950 Nut Grove, Antigua and Barbuda
Died	11 February 2024 Gunthorpes
Occupation	Police officer
Employer	Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda
Known for	first female police commissioner in the Caribbean
Successor	Gary Nelson

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.^[1]

She was appointed to lead the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda in 2005.^[2] She was the first woman commissioner in the Caribbean.^[3] 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.^[4]

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.^[2] She retired having served the police for 39 years.^[1] 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]

References

1. "Delano Christopher: Caribbean's trailblazing first female police commissioner laid to rest". Antigua Observer. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
2. "Canadian Police Commission for Antigua". Radio Jamaica. 1 March 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
3. "First female Commissioner of Police passes". Antigua Observer. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
4. Antigua & Barbuda list: "No. 58020". The London Gazette (7th supplement). 17 June 2006. pp. 41–42.
5. "Gary Nelson Claimant v The Attorney Generl Colin Derrick, Minister of Justice v The Police Service Commission Defendants [ECSC]". vLex. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
6. "Former Commissioner of Police, Ms. Delano Christopher has Died". Antigua News Room. 2024-02-11. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
7. "Antigua's first female commissioner of police has died | Loop Caribbean News". Loop News. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
8. "United Progressive Party Extends Condolences to Family of Former Commissioner of Police". Antigua News Room. 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
9. "Petition Launched to Honor First Female Commissioner". Antigua News Room. 2024-03-12. Retrieved 2024-04-06.