7th woman joins BPD’s top ranks
22-year veteran promoted to captain
For the first time in 13 years, the Boston Police Department promoted a woman to captain.
Lt. Therese Kozmiski, a 22-year veteran with BPD, was joined by dozens of relatives, co-workers and community members to celebrate her elevated rank. She is one of seven women in the history of the department to be promoted to captain.
“This is a great step in forward progress,” said Commissioner William G. Gross.
Gross said Kozmiski’s promotion signified a shift toward a more diverse department, one that he has envisioned since he got into office.
“My goal was to make sure the department looks like every neighborhood in the city and every gender in this city,” Gross said.
“It is an honor to promote you to captain,” Gross said, reiterating how big of a deal the promotion is.
Kozmiski, a Brighton native, comes from three generations of Boston law enforcement — with family members working in the K-9 Unit, mounted unit, crimes against children unit, operations and more.
“We are just very dedicated to serve in the communities,” Kozmiski said. “Civil service, I guess, is in my blood.”
She started in June 1996, working her way to sergeant in 2005 and lieutenant in 2011.
“Thank you for continuing to push yourself through the ranks,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “It is a proud day for you.”
“This is a great day for BPD and the city of Boston to make sure to increase diversity,” Walsh said. “We take pride in what we do and continue to work towards diversity every day.”
For Kozmiski, the promotion was about more than just a job advancement — she hopes it will help other women strive to further their careers as well.
“There were a lot of pioneers before me, and I would like to inspire other girls so they can see me and have the courage to do it, too,” Kozmiski said. “I want to be a role model to other females that you can do it, just try hard and keep fighting.”
Her philosophy is all about community policing, which she wants to contin- ue on into her new role.
“I love to walk and talk in the streets, take a Code 19,” Kozmiski said of the term for a foot patrol “walk and talk.” “I want to make sure we are really partnering with the community.”