In a significant move for public safety and security, Governor Maura Healey has appointed Gina K. Kwon as the new Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) in Massachusetts, according to an announcement on the state's official website. Kwon, who previously held the position of Undersecretary for Law Enforcement within the same office, is stepping into the role following the retirement of former Secretary Terrence M. Reidy.
"Gina Kwon is a veteran prosecutor and law enforcement leader with extensive experience in public safety," Governor Healey stated, praising Kwon's ability to foster cooperation between law enforcement and community leaders throughout Massachusetts. Meanwhile, Interim Secretary Susan Terrey will continue her tenure as Deputy Secretary and Undersecretary for Homeland Security, offering stability during this transition. Kwon expressed her gratitude toward Governor Healey, citing the support of her team and her eagerness to continue fostering statewide safety initiatives. "I look forward to working across the administration and across the state to strengthen relationships, support public safety and emergency response personnel, and improve community safety," Kwon said, as noted by the state's official website.
During her stint as the Undersecretary for Law Enforcement, Kwon was instrumental in guiding the Massachusetts State Police through a period of transformation—including the implementation of significant accountability and training reforms—under the leadership of Colonel Geoffrey Noble. Her impact was also felt through her involvement in statewide public safety roundtables, which ultimately directed the State Police to allocate resources towards curbing illegal street takeovers, an initiative that bore fruit in several successful operations.
With a career beginning as an assistant district attorney in the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Kwon quickly made a name for herself in the legal arena before progressing to more prominent positions, including Chief of Criminal Bureau at the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General; in these roles, she led vital criminal investigations and managed major prosecutions. Her work covered the gamut from narcotics and firearms cases to cybercrime, showcasing her diverse experience and expertise in legal and law enforcement matters, with her involvement in the Massachusetts Hate Crimes Task Force and other governor-appointed groups only further illustrating her depth of commitment to justice and public safety.
A testament to her educational foundation, Kwon's credentials include a bachelor’s degree from Boston College followed by a juris doctor degree from New England Law School; these qualifications have underpinned a career that is marked by a steadfast dedication to improving the systems that protect and serve the citizens of Massachusetts.
