Brenda Perez set to break glass ceiling, color line as Brockton's next police chief

Chris Helms, The Enterprise
·2 min read

BROCKTON — Mayor Robert Sullivan has tapped city native Lt. Brenda Perez to be the next chief of Brockton Police.

If confirmed by City Council, as is expected, Perez would be the first woman to lead the city's police force, and first person of color to do so.

"Having lived in Brockton my entire life and served as a Brockton Police Officer for 22 years, I am honored to have been selected by Mayor Sullivan to be the Chief," Perez said in a Wednesday email to The Enterprise.

"I look forward to working with him, the rest of the city government, and the community to build a better Brockton for all in the city."

Sullivan named Perez acting chief on Monday. Sullivan had interviewed five people for the job, all of them Brockton cops:

  • Sgt. Michael Skinner

  • Lt. Donald J. Mills Jr.

  • Lt. Paul Bonanca

  • Lt. Brenda Perez

  • Sgt. Michael Livingston

Out of that group, Bonanca, Perez and Livingston made it as finalists, according to Daveson Perez, a spokesperson for the mayor's office.

Acting Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez, left, shakes hands with Mayor Robert Sullivan after her swearing in at the City Clerk's office in City Hall on Monday, April 4, 2022.
Acting Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez, left, shakes hands with Mayor Robert Sullivan after her swearing in at the City Clerk's office in City Hall on Monday, April 4, 2022.

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The acting chief, in addition to her two decades-plus as patrol officer, sergeant and lieutenant, has a military background. She has served 24 years in the Army Reserves, according to an announcement of her appointment on the department's Facebook page.

Perez also holds a master's degree in criminal justice from Curry College.

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Capt. Steven Williamson had been serving as interim chief since Chief Emanuel "Manny" Gomes retired in January, citing health concerns. It was Williamson's second stint in the role, having also performed it in 2020.

BPD, which is diverse by the standards of other Bay State cities but still lags Brockton's overall demographics, has sought to increase its minority representation, especially at the higher levels.

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This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton police: Brenda Perez set to be first woman chief