BOSTON – Gov. Deval L. Patrick last week swore in Andrea Cabral as secretary of the Mass. Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

Cabral, the first female in the state’s history to hold the position of sheriff of Suffolk County, brings an extensive background in criminal justice and public safety to the post, Patrick said in a statement.

Her career in public service began in 1986 as a staff attorney in the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office.

The governor also announced that Secretary Cabral will lead a proposed working group between his administration and the state’s sheriffs to improve the funding structure for sheriff departments. Under the current system, there is often inconsistency in funding levels due to varied levels of federal inmate revenue, county population and other factors.

The working group, proposed as part of the governor’s fiscal 2014 budget, would submit recommendations by July 1. •