Brother Trent J. Headley

In 1994, aligned with the ideals of “Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service,” Brother Trent J. Headley took the solemn oath to serve and protect by joining the Malden Police Department as a sworn law enforcement officer. Bro. Headley is the most senior officer of color and has held many positions in the police department to include Police Prosecutor, Detective, and School Resource Officer (current assignment). As a Black man and Black father, he remains acutely attentive to the issues of systematic racism, criminal justice reform, and police brutality. Bro Headley explains:

Phi Beta Sigma’s purpose as an organization is to be part of the general community rather than apart from the community. Law enforcement finds itself with that challenge today - being part of the community.

Bro. Headley understands that positive mentoring is needed to help build solid relationships in the neighborhood. With almost three decades of service, he continues to work hard to confidently engage with consistent and positive energy when working in the schools. As a role model and a Black man, he understands he can make a difference while being in uniform.

Bro. Headley was initiated into Phi Beta Sigma in Spring 1987 via Beta Alpha Chapter. In 1991, Bro. Headley earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. His undergraduate studies included a semester abroad at The University of West London where he studied criminal justice systems. Bro. Headley earned a Master’s in Criminology in 2005 from Curry College.

As a role model and a Black man, Brother Headley understands that he can make a difference while being in uniform. Being his natural self has allowed him to have a solid career and he looks forward to many more years to come as he ascribes to the theme “culture for service and service for humanity.” In 1990, Bro. Headley had an opportunity to witness firsthand one of the single greatest manifestations of “culture for service, service for humanity”:

[While studying abroad in London, we took] a quick Parisian weekend trip which turned into a ‘where were you moment’ on February 11, 1990. As many of the students ventured to France’s famed Louvre Museum to see Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece portrait, The Mona Lisa, Brother Headley chose to remain in his hotel room to watch anti-apartheid campaigner, and eventual South African President, Nelson Mandela walk free from his imprisonment in South Africa after 27 years… Months later Mandela, the greatest leader of South Africa's anti-apartheid movement, would hold a rally at the Charles River Esplanade in Boston on June 23, 1990, and Brother Headley was present and accounted for on this day as well.

It is in this spirit of love of culture and community with which Brother Headley approaches serving the people of Malden, MA.