Lieutenant Deborah Hodge has been appointed chief of police for the Virgin Islands Police Department in the St. Thomas-St. John district, making her the first woman in the territory’s history to hold the position, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announced on the final day of Virgin Islands History Month and Women’s History Month.
“Lieutenant Hodge is a dedicated and proven leader,” Bryan said. “She has spent her career building trust, serving with distinction, and setting the standard for what it means to protect and serve. Her appointment is well-earned and long overdue. I’m proud to see her take this step and confident she’ll make the territory proud.”
Hodge, a 20-year veteran of the VIPD, has held several leadership roles and earned the respect of both her colleagues and the community. As chief, she will oversee daily operations in the district and work to strengthen public safety and community relationships, according to the press release.
While the police commissioner leads the department overall, the district chief of police manages day-to-day operations, ensuring officers and command staff function effectively in their assigned areas, the press release stated.
“I accept this appointment with humility and gratitude. I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me and hope to inspire those who come next. I am committed to serving with strength, compassion, and integrity,” Hodge said.
Police Commissioner Mario Brooks expressed confidence in Hodge’s leadership, noting her experience and deep understanding of the community. “Chief Hodge has the experience and the heart for this job,” Brooks said. “She knows the community, she understands the work, and she leads by example. I’m proud to have her on the leadership team, and I look forward to continuing our work together to move the department forward.”
Bryan said Hodge’s appointment reflects his administration’s commitment to elevating leaders who have earned public trust. “Chief Hodge has broken a barrier,” he said. “And she did it by showing up every day and doing the work with integrity. This is a moment to celebrate her achievements and to recognize how far we’ve come as a community.”
