DC Yvonne Rhoden MBE has recently retired from the Met after a career of 30 years. She’s been instrumental in changing national and international policy on domestic violence, honour based violence and female genital mutilation (FGM). She was also a founding member of the MetBPA.
In 1991, Yvonne joined the newly formed Racial and Violent Crime Directorate and was one of its leading figures in transforming the Met as it responded to Lord MacPherson’s inquiry into the death of Stephen Lawrence. She’s been recognised as a leading expert on honour based violence, forced marriage and FGM, addressing the United Nations in 2003. In 2007, she was awarded the Justice Award for Outstanding Achievement in Caring for Victims and has worked with numerous partner agencies to join up the response to domestic violence and child abuse.
And in her last few months with the Met, Yvonne secured three successive guilty convictions for rape and secured another charge on her last day.
Ms Rhoden said “it’s been a wonderful day, nice to know all the hard work is appreciated, just wish there were awards for many more who work so tirelessly, you know who you are”
In retirement Ms Rhoden continues to work with young women in the community, as a netball coach for England netball. Prior to retirement Yvonne also ran the Met North Netball team who won the Police Sports UK National tournament in 2007.