A personal encounter with a compassionate female police officer in the community, sparked the imagination of a young girl and inspired her interest in public service.
Jermaine N Edwards, a UPP contender in the Primary in the St John’s Rural South Constituency, recalls when she got lost at Carnival City as a youngster. Police Officer, Ms Delano Christopher, recognised Jermaine, and returned her safely to her parents.
As the nation mourns the passing of former Police Commissioner Delano Christopher, Jermaine Edwards has started a petition that proposes that the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda rename American Road, where the police headquarters is located, to honour Ms Christopher’s legacy.
“Having grown up in the community of Nut Grove, Ms Christopher had a lasting impact and garnered the respect of everyone, especially the youth. I was elated when she was appointed the first female Police Commissioner in the region. Her accomplishments inspired me to dedicate my life to public service and pursue studies in criminal justice,” Edwards shared.
Edwards also notes that female police officers tend to have a positive influence on the perceived job performance, trustworthiness, and fairness of a police agency. She believes that in many cases, they tend to influence the public’s willingness to cooperate in the production of positive public safety outcomes.
“Her presence as a female officer made me feel at ease, and sparked my interest in law enforcement. Female officers were not common then, and she seemed like a giant to me. At a time when youth violence is at an all-time high, we must memorialise Ms Christopher’s legacy and the contributions that she made at the community, national, and regional level,” Edwards added.
With the celebration of Women’s History Month throughout the month of March, the UPP hopeful notes the low level of female representation in Parliament. Further, in a historically matriarchal society, Edwards questions why only one of our six national heroes is female. She believes that by renaming a major highway to honour the accomplishments of our first female Police Commissioner, who served her country for almost 40 years is a step in the right direction.
This recognition will go a long way in inspiring young women to achieve their full potential. It will also help to bring greater gender balance, by ensuring that women play a greater role in leadership across all sectors of society.
Ms Delano Christopher will be remembered as a trailblazer who was trusted and respected by her peers, throughout the community and the nation. This led to more effective community policing strategies, especially in addressing conflicts and dispute resolution among the youth and adults alike.
To sign the petition go to: https://chng.it/HWpJT9addMZ