The following are excerpts from the inauguration speech of Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, made after his swearing-in ceremony at Faneuil hall on January 3.

...As a professional prosecutor who began his career in Suffolk County, I can think of no greater privilege than to be elected Suffolk County District Attorney. After almost a year on the job, I can also tell you that everything I felt that first day - the pride in the office, the passion for the work, and the weight of responsibility - have in no way diminished. In fact, with each day, they've grown a little stronger as has my own understanding of the job. And it's my vision for the job and the office that I lead that I'd like to talk about today.

There are three benchmarks I've established for my office: One, the partnerships we build; Two, the high standards of professionalism and performance that we achieve; and Three, the vigor with which we embrace the unique challenge of prosecuting cases and serving victims in Suffolk County who have no one else to fight for them.

The first is the partnerships we build and foster. The District Attorney wields enormous power. The nature of the job demands someone who is independent minded. But one of the things I've really come to appreciate over the past year is, while responsibility for the effectiveness and results of the District Attorney's Office begins and ends with me, all success is shared...

You know, when I assumed office in February, violent crime was increasing and some were openly questioning whether the partnerships that were so successful in the 1990's were still effective. As the new District Attorney, I really wanted to come up with something new and dramatic to try and alter the direction in which we were going, but as I listened to more senior and experienced partners in law enforcement and in the community, I saw a different posture and heard a different message.

Yes, like me, they had a real sense of urgency. But they also understood through years of practice that success comes from working as a team, sharing information and ideas, and holding each other accountable. It became my goal then, and it remains my goal today, to be the best part of that team that I can be by doing my job to the best of my ability and with an eye toward results.

With little fanfare or public proclamation, we collaborated with other agencies in the Unsolved Shooting Project. We collaborated with other law enforcement agencies and community leaders in Boston and in Chelsea to refocus and expand the Safe Neighborhood Initiatives. We contributed some new ideas, like indicting gun offenses within 48 hours to keep dangerous offenders from winding up on the streets again...

And when I look at where we were mid-way through the year - with homicides and shootings ahead of the previous year's pace - and where we ended - with 8 fewer homicides than a year ago, shootings down by 22 percent and Boston the safest it's been in over 30 years - it makes me proud of the success of the team and the contributions my Office made as part of that team. All success is shared. It's also made me hungry for more of this kind of success.

I know it's risky to rely too heavily on numbers. One victim of crime is one too many. But this is what this work is really all about - reducing the number of victims we mourn, achieving safer neighborhoods and helping all people to live free of fear.

The challenge is how we sustain success, especially in these very difficult fiscal times. One solution should be clear - by staying true to the partnerships that have worked, seeking out new partners and constantly searching for new areas to improve performance. Let us meet the challenges together; and together contribute to solving the problems.

The second benchmark is attaining the highest standards of professionalism and performance. In tight fiscal times especially, we reach those high standards through increased accountability and better training.

You know, this past year, our homicide conviction rate rose to 93 percent, up from 66 percent in the year 2000. That's a testament to a lot of things, including outstanding work between our Homicide Unit and Boston and State Police Homicide investigators. But it's also a testament to strong leadership and training.

David Meier, the Chief of my Homicide Unit, is one of the finest prosecutors anywhere and a strong team leader. He's fostered a culture in his unit where standards are set high, knowledge is shared and the latest rules and techniques are imparted. David and his more experienced prosecutors go out of their way to critique the performance of those with less experience.

Training can be costly. In the past, prosecutors were sent to outside conferences for training, but only when the budget allowed. I believe that, in good fiscal times or bad, the first place you look for help is to yourself.

In the past, both because of limited budgets and the enormous case loads that Suffolk County prosecutors carry, there was a feeling that it was next to impossible to find time to undertake consistent training. I take an opposite view. I believe that it's precisely because of the large caseloads we carry, the diversity of the people we represent, and the complexity of the cases we handle that ongoing, formalized training is critical.

That's why I am creating an executive level position that, for the first time ever in Suffolk County, will oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive, ongoing program to train Assistant District Attorneys. It can't be done entirely alone. But Suffolk County is home to some of the best law schools anywhere, some of whom have already expressed interest in partnering with our Office to assist in the development of our curriculum.

Ultimately, I expect these efforts to not only create a climate that nurtures legal talent and makes our Office an even more desirable place to work, but produces better, more effective prosecutors to serve the people of Suffolk County.

As prosecutors, our goal isn't simply to win cases, but to achieve justice. I believe people have a right to know that their District Attorney's Office is one that insists on fair and ethical behavior, zealously advocates for the rights of victims, but also respects the rights of the accused.

And this brings me to the third benchmark, the zeal with which we embrace the unique challenge of prosecuting cases and serving victims in Suffolk County who often have no one else to fight for them.

As an Assistant District Attorney, as a City Councilor who represented one of the most diverse districts in Boston, and now as District Attorney, serving victims of violent crime and fighting for safe neighborhoods is a true calling for me. I've gotten to know Suffolk County in a way most people never do.

Lengthy involvement in the criminal justice system can leave some people cynical and jaded. But in the midst of the hundreds of cases I've handled involving victims who had suffered terrible crime and cruelty - men like Arthur Austin and Tom Fulchino who were victims of clergy sexual abuse and who personify courage - I have witnessed countless acts of kindness, forgiveness and profound grace.

In communities that sometimes feel besieged by violent crime, I've met firsthand with parents and residents and clergy who fight relentlessly for the safety and sanctity of their children and neighborhoods against tremendous odds.

Today I say to all of you: let us rededicate ourselves to the fight against the needless loss of life; the terrible loss of youthful potential through drugs; and the cynicism that causes people to shake their heads but still think it's inevitable and that little can be done. Together, we need to change these attitudes...

Part of the solution is for me to use the bully pulpit of my office in the same way our clergy literally use the pulpit of their churches to give dignity and value and perspective to lives cut short, regardless of the circumstance. But beyond words, this is why the question of programs and initiatives and resources is so critical - because we spend far too much time looking back on lives that end in tragedy, instead of recognizing the warning signs early and preventing them.

I believe that regardless of where people live or who they are, that our right to live in peace and safety are paramount. I also believe that regardless of the circumstances of a person's life or childhood, people who commit heinous crimes, who terrorize or violate someone's civil rights or peace and safety should be held accountable. As your District Attorney, I will fight to bring them to justice!