Yvonne Alexander

Yvonne Alexander is a pioneering retired law enforcement officer and a leading social advocate in Dominica. A figure of firsts, she spent over 40 years in the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF), shattering the glass ceiling for women in Caribbean security. She has now transitioned into one of the island’s most influential voices in public health and community protection, a Cancer mission guard, serving as the President of the Dominica Cancer Society.

Early Life and Professional Foundations

Alexander’s early education was rooted in Dominica’s traditional school system before she enlisted in the police force in December 1975. Her career was marked by a steady rise through the ranks during an era when the force was almost exclusively male. She pursued advanced academic qualifications later in her career to bridge the gap between field operations and administrative leadership, earning an Executive Diploma in Management and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Public Sector Management from the University of the West Indies (UWI).

A Career of “Firsts” in Law Enforcement

Alexander is celebrated as a trailblazer who normalised the presence of women in senior police management. Before her retirement in May 2016, she achieved several historic milestones:

• Rank of Superintendent: She was the first woman in the CDPF to be confirmed in a senior managerial position, retiring as a Superintendent of Police.
• Assistant Commissioner (Acting): She also served as an Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, overseeing critical operational and administrative departments.
• Regional Security System (RSS): Her expertise was recognised regionally; from 2013 to 2015, she served as the Director of Training at the RSS headquarters in Barbados, where she influenced training protocols for police forces across the Eastern Caribbean.

National Advocacy and Public Health

Since retiring from active duty, Alexander has pivoted her command-and-control skills toward humanitarian causes. The government and non-governmental organisations frequently seek her expertise in gender and social inclusion.

• Dominica Cancer Society (DCS): Elected President in 2017, she has revitalised the organisation. She has been a vocal advocate for a “National Cancer Plan,” urging the government to decentralise care and provide better financial support for patients undergoing expensive treatments like dialysis and chemotherapy.
• Gender-Based Violence: Drawing on her police background, she remains a key trainer for Lifeline Ministries, specialised in teaching multidisciplinary teams how to handle sensitive investigations into domestic violence and child abuse.
• Dominica Council on Ageing (DCOA): As an executive member of the DCOA, she has campaigned for the protection of the elderly, specifically focusing on the socialization gap between youth and seniors.

Professional and Civic Highlights

• Primary Role (2026): President, Dominica Cancer Society (DCS).
• Law Enforcement Legacy: Retired Superintendent of Police; First female confirmed in senior management.
• Consultancy: Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Officer for regional agricultural projects (SAC).
• Church and Community: Active in church leadership and a dedicated member of the Dominica National Council of Women.

Leadership and Political Profile

• Political Standing: While Alexander maintains a professional and non-partisan public image as a retired high-ranking officer, she is often seen working closely with the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) government on national health task forces and social development projects.
• International Presence: She has represented Dominica at international conferences on women’s rights and security in over 20 countries.
• Education Advocacy: She is a frequent keynote speaker at school graduations, where she promotes the “Oath and the Badge” philosophy, encouraging young people to view public service as a moral calling rather than just a job.
• Family: She is the mother of four adult children, balancing her rigorous public life with a deep commitment to family and outdoor activities like hiking and swimming.