New Secretary of Public Safety For Massachusetts

Governor Mitt Romney today named Robert C. Haas as the Commonwealth's new Secretary of Public Safety. Haas will replace Edward Flynn, who is resigning effective March 17 to become the police commissioner for the city of Springfield.

"Robert Haas has had a distinguished career in law enforcement and emergency management," Romney said. "He will be a strong advocate for continued improvements within the secretariat, and his experience, professionalism and knowledge make him the right person for the job."

For the past three years, Haas has served as the Undersecretary of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security, where he spearheaded many of the state's homeland security initiatives. He oversaw development of the Commonwealth's Homeland Security Regional Preparedness Strategy, an effort to improve how federal homeland security funds are spent to prevent and prepare for a terror attack. The program has awarded nearly $90 million in federal grants using a new risk-based approach that prioritizes areas facing the greatest threats and vulnerability.

Haas has also directed the development of Continuity of Operation Plans (COOP) and Continuity of Government (COG) plans to ensure continued function of essential government agencies and services in the event of a terrorist attack or other catastrophic event.

"I am honored by the confidence Governor Romney has placed in me and I look forward to furthering the many homeland security initiatives underway, seeing the reform efforts through at the Departments of Correction and Public Safety, and implementing other reforms necessary to protect public safety," Haas said.

Romney praised outgoing Secretary Edward Flynn, who has served in the Governor's Cabinet since the start of the Administration in 2003. Under Flynn's leadership, with Haas' support, the agency has focused on a "Reform with Results" agenda that has resulted in a number of notable improvements. Recent highlights include:

Improving the State Police Crime Lab to solve crimes faster. A doubling of lab space and the hiring of 33 new highly-trained technicians have resulted in a 50% reduction in the case backlog.

Top-to-bottom reform at the Department of Correction (DOC). Changes in operations and management have cut sick time usage by DOC staff, doubled the number of inmates receiving substance abuse treatment, and reformed the inmate grievance, disciplinary and investigations systems.

Turnaround at the Department of Public Safety (DPS), which oversees licensing and inspections. Strict new regulatory guidelines and requirements have made carnival and amusement rides, tramways and elevators safer.
As Public Safety Secretary, Haas will manage more than 10,000 people serving a variety of public safety agencies, boards, and commissions, including the Massachusetts State Police, the Department of Correction, the National Guard, the Department of Fire Services and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

Haas, a career public safety professional, was Chief of Police in Westwood for 12 years and served as the President of the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council, a consortium of 39 law enforcement agencies providing regional support services to their communities. Prior to this, he served as a ranking officer in the Morris Township Police Department in Morris Township, New Jersey.
Haas received his bachelor's degree from William Paterson College of New Jersey and his master's degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Rutgers University.