December 14, 2015

CONTACT: Peter Van Delft
(617) 704-6682

SHERIFF TOMPKINS OF SUFFOLK COUNTY NAMED PRESIDENT OF MASSACHUSETTS SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION

Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins has been elected to serve as President of the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association.

Following what was a unanimous vote by the other 13 sitting sheriffs, Sheriff Tompkins was equal parts grateful and energized by his selection to the presidency, a position that carries with it a two-year term of service.

“I am both elated and honored to be chosen as MSA President,” said Sheriff Tompkins. “It’s always humbling to be recognized by one’s peers and I take this mantle very seriously. I look forward to fulfilling the mission of the organization.”

Established 30 years ago, the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association (MSA) is made up of the 14 county sheriffs in Massachusetts and, according to its mission statement, works “to secure a unity of action by the sheriffs of the Commonwealth in order to address the numerous issues that have a direct relationship and impact on the entire criminal justice system, and which may affect the operation of the various sheriffs’ offices.” These issues include, but are not limited to: “those related to law enforcement, the care and custody of inmates and detainees, judicial services, transportation of prisoners, recidivism, officer training, re-entry programming, and legislative advocacy.” In his role as the MSA President, Sheriff Tompkins will preside over a leadership team that includes vice presidents of Training and Leadership Development, Re-Entry and Aftercare, Information and Technology and the State Director to National Sheriffs Association.

Sharing his experiences working with Sheriff Tompkins and applauding him for his most recent achievement was another dedicated, well-known civic leader.

“I congratulate Sheriff Tompkins on being elected President of the Massachusetts Sheriff’s Association,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “Sheriff Tompkins brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role and I look forward to working with him in this new capacity. He is a good friend and a great public servant who is committed to reducing violence, and he shares in my goal of making the City of Boston safe for everyone.”

Speaking about his desire to bring the MSA further forward into the public discussion about the need for more addiction recovery and mental health services, anti-recidivism programming, greater focus on reducing domestic violence, and providing quality education and resources for prevention across the Commonwealth, Sheriff Tompkins acknowledged the challenges even as he fully embraced them.
“I know that we as the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association haven’t always been first in the minds or on the tongues of lawmakers, policy analysts or even members of the local and national media but, I intend to fully utilize the resources of this office to its best capacity to make sure that we are part of the conversation, particularly when it comes to public safety and the overall health of our communities.”
“We as county sheriffs are the stewards of those in our care and custody, many of whom will be returning to the neighborhoods just outside of our facilities, and it is incumbent upon all of us to do our best to see that they are returned to our society in better stead than when they left it. We have the ability to change lives and transform communities, and that’s what I intend to continue doing both as the Sheriff of Suffolk County and now as the President of the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association.”