As it tries to steady its ship amid myriad controversies, the Massachusetts State Police announced late last month that it is bringing former secretary of public safety and Boston Police commissioner Kathleen O’Toole on board as a management consultant. O’Toole will work on a pro bono basis to counsel State Police Col. Kerry Gilpin on the “recruitment of qualified and diverse candidates for employment and professional development and leadership training for existing personnel,” among other issues.

Marking the end of an era in local law enforcement, Boston Police Commissioner William Evans retired from the Boston force on July 30 to begin a new position as executive director of public safety at Boston College. Mayor Martin Walsh named a black officer, Superintendent-in-Chief William Gross, as the new commissioner of the 2,200-officer Boston Police Department.

Superstar Irish accordionist and visionary Sharon Shannon’s return to The Burren Backroom series highlights this month’s offerings of Irish/Celtic music in the Greater Boston area (and vicinity).