History made: Rachael Rollins sworn in as Suffolk County's first female DA

BOSTON — It was a historic day in Suffolk County as the first African American District Attorney was officially sworn in.

Rachael Rollins' tenure marks a change in many ways, not the least of which was the mood of her induction ceremony Wednesday as speakers joked, laughed and even danced in the aisles.

Surrounded by her daughter and young nieces, Rollins was sworn in by Justice Geraldine Hines, the first black justice on the state's Supreme Judicial Court.

The legacy of "firsts" was a theme during the swearing-in ceremony, as Rollins talked about the hard work it took to take a candidate like herself - with no political experience - all the way to Election Day.

>> Rollins to become Boston's first female top prosecutor

Rollins campaigned on a promise of justice reform, including refusing to charge defendants in 15 lower level offenses. While this made some in law enforcement uneasy, Rollins addressed the police chiefs during Wednesday's ceremony, promising to work together.

"I have a lot of work to do with you, and I know you’re nervous and guess what nervousness is exactly what change needs and we are gonna be OK," said Rollins.

Cox Media Group