In Conversation: District Attorney Rachael Rollins

Last week, the Barr Foundation hosted its first virtual “In Conversation” featuring significant leaders in our communities. Mary Skelton Roberts, Barr’s Co-Director of Climate interviewed Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins. Their discussion began with DA Rollins’ personal history and path into the District Attorney’s office. From there, they explored the legacy and impacts of racism and gender discrimination in our region, and the distinct role of policing and the criminal justice system.

A video of the webinar is available below, followed by some highlights from the conversation:

Since being elected in 2018, DA Rollins has fought to make the criminal justice system more just for all. Asked about a recent Harvard University study that found Black and Latinx people are overrepresented in Massachusetts’ criminal justice system and that they receive longer sentences than their white counterparts, the DA commented that the report is helpful “in giving us teeth to say ‘this isn’t just a feeling that certain people had. This is sustained with evidence.’”

The DA also recently released the names of 136 local police officers accused of misconduct – something that, previously, defense attorneys or juries had no way of knowing. As Rollins described, this information is critical for a fair process.

“If an officer is testifying in a domestic violence case and he or she has been arrested twice for domestic violence, or is testifying in a OUI and he or she has two OUIs, that’s important information,” Rollins said. “If you don’t believe the system works, people aren’t going to partake in the system. I don’t mean just defendants; I mean if you witness a crime. We need to start mending those relationships. When we do that, I believe it results in safer communities and we will solve more crime.”

The DA also cited the “Varsity Blues” and Breonna Taylor cases as prime examples of the law not being applied equally to all people, and how that must change to create trust in our justice system. “There are people that fully believe and have every right to believe that the criminal system is broken,” she said. “And it isn’t helping certain communities. In fact, it is harming them more than it is helping.”

In closing the conversation, DA Rollins affirmed how vital it is to engage a greater diversity of community perspectives, especially those personally impacted by harmful policies – if we are ever to tackle inequity and create a region in which everyone can thrive.

To philanthropic organizations, she offered the following advice: “Use your data to give money to the areas that need it more. I want you to invest in giving young or new leaders the platform they need.”

At Barr, investing in leaders is a core value. As our city, region, and nation grapple with COVID-19 and the latest national reckoning over structural racism and anti-Blackness, we need effective, visionary, and collaborative leaders, who motivate others, drive change, and produce results.

As our city, region, and nation grapple with COVID-19 and the latest national reckoning over structural racism and anti-Blackness, we need effective, visionary, and collaborative leaders.

We are grateful to have been able to showcase just such a leader in District Attorney Rachael Rollins.

Published 10.13.2020