Ep. 49, Rachael Rollins: District Attorney of Suffolk County
In this episode of Catalysts for Change, Jill talks with District Attorney Rachael Rollins of Suffolk County. Since 2019, DA Rollins has been the chief law enforcement officer for Boston, Winthrop, Chelsea, and Revere. She is the first woman ever elected as District Attorney in Suffolk County and the first woman of color ever elected District Attorney in Massachusetts.
A lifelong resident of Boston and Cambridge, DA Rollins previously served on the Judicial Nominating Commission and as general counsel for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, nominated by former Governor Deval Patrick. Since taking office as District Attorney in 2019, DA Rollins has implemented policies aimed at reducing the prosecution of misdemeanors that are tied to mental health issues, substance use disorders, food and housing insecurities, and immigration status. She created the Discharge Integrity Team to help investigate officer-involved shootings and allegations of excessive force, as well as the Integrity Review Bureau (IRB) that looks not only at post-conviction claims of innocence, but also reviews unconstitutional, unethical, and unjust convictions, as well as sentencing disparities.
We talk with DA Rollins about her background growing up in Boston and what inspired her to go into law, her innovative use of data and analytics to bring transparency and accountability to the District Attorney’s Office, and the ways in which she uses her office to drive policies aimed at creating a more just and equitable legal system.
If you would like to read more about Rachael Rollins and her work as Suffolk County District Attorney, please check out the links below.
Meet District Attorney Rachael Rollins