Boston's finest just got a new home base. Mayor Michelle Wu, along with city officials, celebrated the inauguration of the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) Police's new headquarters last Friday, a nod to the cementing partnership with the community they serve. Not stopping there, Wu announced the appointment of Shumeane Benford as the full-time chief of the BHA Police, recognizing his role in beefing up the department's presence and effectiveness.
According to a statement by Mayor Wu, "We're thrilled to cut the ribbon on a beautiful new home for Boston Housing Authority police to support their continued community partnership." Once done with his current role as Chief of the City's Office of Emergency Management after the 2024 Boston Marathon, Benford's full attention will pivot to the BHA Police.
Beautiful day for the Grand Opening of the new BHA Police Headquarters pic.twitter.com/0WoOJdnsM9
— Boston Housing Auth. (@BHA_Boston) December 8, 2023
The new BHA headquarters, settled into what used to be a storage shed in Jamaica Plain, represents an actual upgrade in facilities. The new HQ stands as a symbolic and practical space for the nine full-time and part-time officers who strive to enhance the quality of life for residents, working under the mast of BHA while overlapping services with the Boston Police Department.
In her stride to bolster community safety, Mayor Wu advocated and secured funding for BHA's public safety, enabling the addition of five new officers to the department's ranks. "Throughout my career, I have focused on creating a safe, thriving city for all residents and families across our city's neighborhoods," Benford told, hinting at his legacy of commitment ahead of his new role.
The expansion of BHA Police brings more than fresh faces; it heralds an engagement-based model that aims at placing a team of officers within reach for each police district. Collaborating closely with BPD and the local stakeholders, these officers are determined to iron out kinks related to crimes and quality of life issues.
With these efforts, BHA Police has not only expanded physically but ethically, being one of the few Boston-based police agencies to retain certification amid statewide reforms that demanded higher levels of professionalism and training among officers.
