Home News Administration Jennifer M. Paster Sworn In As Brookline’s Police Chief

Jennifer M. Paster Sworn In As Brookline’s Police Chief

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Town Administrator Chas Carey is pleased to announce that Jennifer M. Paster has officially begun her new role as Chief of Police.

Chief Paster, a 23-year veteran of the Brookline Police Department, was sworn in during a public ceremony at the Brookline Public Library’s Hunneman Hall on Wednesday morning.

“It is truly an honor for me to step into the role of Chief,” said Chief Paster. “I am grateful for the overwhelming support from my department and the Brookline community.”

Chief Paster began her career with the Brookline Police Department as a patrol officer in 2000. In 2005, she began working in the detective division serving as an intelligence investigator. During this time, she served as the department’s liaison to multiple agencies including Boston Regional Intelligence Center, Commonwealth Fusion Center, New England State Police Information Network, FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program.

In 2011, she was promoted to patrol sergeant where she supervised officers in the patrol division, assisted with performance and professional development and acted as the shift’s commanding officer, as needed. She later took on the role of administrative sergeant, where she served for four years.

Chief Paster was appointed to the role of Lieutenant in 2017, where she coordinated crisis intervention team (CIT) efforts across all department shifts/divisions. During this time, she taught six 40‐hour CIT courses for sworn law enforcement officers in the greater Boston area. She also served as assistant court prosecutor for the Brookline District Court in the absence of a full‐time prosecutor.

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While serving the role of Deputy Superintendent in 2021, she oversaw operations of the Community Service Division, the Emergency Management Coordinator, Youth and Family Resource Officers, Elder Affairs Officers, and the Crime Analysis Unit. Additionally, she was responsible for training and accreditation compliance, managing the department’s social media platforms and maintaining union and management relations.

Since last summer, she has served as the department’s acting chief. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing command staff and all levels of the department to ensure sustained day-to-day operations and deliver efficient public safety services to the community. Additionally, she worked to develop collaborative relationships with town officials, community agencies, government officials, and residents to maintain awareness and address issues of public safety.

“Chief Paster has been a stalwart member of the Brookline Police Department for over two decades, and has had a hand in nearly all of the agency’s work on behalf of our community during that time,” Town Administrator Carey said. “She’s a proven leader who has built strong relationships with countless stakeholders, and I am confident that she is the ideal person to serve as Brookline’s chief of police.”

Chief Paster is a member of the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE), the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Women Thriving Inc, and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). She is also a member of the Brookline Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and a board member of the Massachusetts Association of Women in Law Enforcement (MAWLE).

Chief Paster holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Union College, a master’s degree in criminal justice from Western New England College and is currently working towards a master’s degree in social work from Boston College.

From left: Chas Carey, Town Clerk Ben Kaufman, Select Board Member Mike Sandman, Chief Paster, Select Board Members Paul Warren and John VanScoyoc.

Chief Paster has officially begun her new role as Chief of Police.