Christine Elow Named Permanent Commissioner of the Cambridge Police Department

City Manager Louis A. DePasquale has announced that Christine Elow has been named the permanent Commissioner of the Cambridge Police Department. She has served as the Acting Police Commissioner since August 2021 when she took over for Commissioner Branville G. Bard, Jr., who accepted an opportunity at Johns Hopkins Institutions. Elow becomes the first woman to lead the Cambridge Police Department since its inception in 1859.

“Over the last six months, I have worked closely with Acting Commissioner Elow, and her leadership, contributions, and collaborative spirit throughout this unprecedented time have been nothing short of impressive,” City Manager DePasquale said.“Ms. Elow has clearly demonstrated to the public and to me that she is the right person to lead the Cambridge Police Department. I am pleased to appoint Christine Elow as the permanent Commissioner for the Cambridge Police Department.”  

Elow said, “My entire career has been dedicated to serving the Cambridge community. I grew up in Cambridge and love working in this city. Now, I look forward to building off what we have started since I was named Acting Police Commissioner and am truly honored to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead the department. I will remain committed to bringing change and transformation to public safety and working collaboratively with the community. I plan on doing everything I can to help CPD advance its mission and continue to serve as the model for policing in Massachusetts and the country.”

“Acting Commissioner Elow has earned the opportunity to lead the Cambridge Police Department on a permanent basis,” Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui said. “She is an exemplary role model and has gained my trust and the trust of many in the community through her leadership, integrity, and distinction. As a native Cantabrigian, Christine Elow has a lifelong commitment to our community, and I look forward to working with her in her new role.”

City Councilor E. Denise Simmons said, "I commend our City Manager for formally appointing Christine Elow as the permanent Commissioner of the Cambridge Police Department. Commissioner Elow was born and raised in Cambridge, she has worked hard and risen up through the ranks, and she truly understands this community. She has never forgotten where she has come from, and she understands the importance of forging strong, respectful relationships within the community she serves. I'm thrilled to have a woman of color serving as a powerful, positive example to the many young girls of color living in Cambridge. It is important that the diversity in our leadership positions reflects the diversity in our community, and it leads to better, more responsive policy-making. This is a truly good day for the City of Cambridge."  

Elow has been with the Cambridge Police since joining as an officer in 1995 after serving in the U.S. Navy for four years. She served in the Patrol Division and oversaw the Professional Standards Unit, where she was responsible for receiving, processing, and investigating complaints made against members of the Department. She later served as Deputy Superintendent for Day Patrol and Community Services. In 2017, Elow was appointed Superintendent, making her the highest-ranking female officer in the history of the Department. She is a strong proponent of community-driven policing, juvenile justice issues, procedural justice, police training and innovative hiring practices. Elow holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Curry College and a Master's Degree from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security Program.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Elow was sworn-in at a private ceremony at the Cambridge Police Department.