COMMISSIONER OF POLICE OLIVER NORRIS PHILIP
(August 8, 1926 - August 1, 2011)
Well-renowned, retired Police Commissioner Oliver Norris Philip died at his home near Washington, DC, on August 1, 2011. He was a major force in foiling the coup attempt of 1981. Oliver was born on August 8, 1926 in Marigot, Dominica, of farming parents. His mother, Clarice Younger, and his stepfather, Edward Younger, taught him the joy of reading and a love of learning and wisdom. Oliver attended the Marigot Primary School and was a dedicated student with plans to attend high school in Roseau. But this was not to be due to his parents' limited resources. Undaunted, Philip sought other avenues to higher education, becoming a student teacher at the Marigot Primary School from 1941 to 1945.
However, in 1945, Philip saw his calling in law enforcement, joined the Dominica Police Force, and graduated at the top of his class at the Police Academy. Subsequently, recognizing his talent for law enforcement, his devotion to duty, and his ambition and perseverance, he was selected to attend the prestigious Hendon Police College in the UK, the principal training centre for London's Metropolitan Police. Later on he received training at various International law-enforcement institutions in Europe and the US, at all of which he consistently achieved outstanding grades and top honors.
Rising through the ranks, Philip became Commissioner of Police, the island's top law-enforcement official. He was the second Dominica-born and the youngest ever Commissioner of Police. Queen Elizabeth II awarded him the Royal Colonial Police Medal for outstanding service and contribution to the Dominica Police Force. He was Dominica's Police Chief from 1972, through independence in 1978, until his retirement in 1984. During that period, he represented Dominica as a well-respected member of the Regional Security System.
Philip's name became legendary in Dominican law enforcement when he helped foil an attempted coup against the Eugenia Charles government on December 19, 1981. Alerted to a gun battle at Police Headquarters, which had been seized by rebel soldiers of the Dominica Defense Force, Philip had rushed to the scene in a valiant attempt to retake Police Headquarters. Rallying policemen not yet in the gun battle, he led a detachment against the rebels. Enroute, his car was ambushed and he was shot in the head by a rebel sharpshooter. He lost consciousness and sustained critical injuries when his car crashed. Despite the death of one police officer, his forces were inspired to continue the assault, and eventually the Defense Force attackers were repulsed.
Apart from rebel elements of the Dominica Defense Force supporting ex-Prime Minister Patrick John, John and his partisans were reportedly in league with the Klu Klux Klan and the US Nazi Party. It was these external elements that Commissioner Philip was also up against. Although he required medical evacuation to Martinique for several months of surgery and rehabilitation, Philip's prompt action and exceptional bravery were major factors in foiling the coup. After his recovery, Philip returned to duty early in 1983. In Oliver N. Philip, Dominica had a resolute Police Commissioner whose integrity and dedication to duty were above political partisanship, and thus ensured that constitutional law prevailed.
Commissioner Philip was active in his community - as a member and Secretary of the Rotary Club of Dominica, and as a leader of the island's Reformed Methodist Church and Christian Union Mission. He enjoyed skin diving, fishing and photography, and was one of Dominica's top marksmen. He re-married shortly after retirement to Maria Ifill and accompanied his wife, a U.S. diplomat, to U.S. embassies in the South Pacific, Africa, and South America.
Commissioner Philip is survived by his wife Maria, eight children from his first marriage to Esther Coipel: Veda, Joyce, David, Samuel, Paul, Barbara, Peter and Ray; his brother Alton, 21 grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends.
For his outstanding bravery, his unwavering devotion to duty, and for his personal integrity, DAAS honors Commissioner of Police Oliver Norris Philip.
Contributed by:
Gabriel J. Christian
August 2011
See also:
Emmanuel Finn: "Commissioner Oliver N. Philip - In his Country's Service" Thedominican.net: Volume 1, Issue No. 94, March 19, 2007.
