PROVIDENCE – Gov. Donald L. Carcieri today named Maj. Steven G. O’Donnell to serve as acting superintendent of the R.I. State Police starting tomorrow, but added, “We are continuing our search for a superintendent who will build on the work of Colonel Paré.”
Today is the last day on the job for Col Steven M. Paré, the departing superintendent, who officially retires Saturday but will be on vacation after today.
Since 2004, O’Donnell has served as Paré’s second-in-command and the department’s public information officer. He also oversees the operations of the uniform division, the detective bureau, the Airport Police Department and the State Police Intelligence and Fusion Center, which investigates organized crime and terrorism.
Carcieri described him as “an experienced and skilled leader who has risen through the ranks, working in virtually every division.”
O’Donnell joined the State Police in 1987 after two years as a police officer in North Kingstown and one as a state correctional officer. He has received three special commendations and numerous other honors, including being listed by the Clinton administration as one of nine Top Cops nationwide in 1995.
He has a B.S. in administration of justice from the University of New Haven and an M.S. in the same field from Salve Regina University.
Additional information can be found at www.ri.gov.
