Governor to name new head of State PD

SCITUATE, R.I. (WPRI) - A new Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police is slated to be named on Monday.

In the wake of Colonel Brendan Doherty's surprise resignation last Thursday, Governor Lincoln Chafee will announce the new head of State Police on Monday.

Eyewitness News has learned that U.S. Marshal Steven O'Donnell is to be named Doherty's successor.

However, the office of the Governor would neither confirm nor deny the appointment of O'Donnell to the top law enforcement position.

O'Donnell has served at the post before.

In 2007 he held the job of Interim Superintendent between the terms of now Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steve Pare and Colonel Doherty.

Still, O'Donnell has held various other high-profile positions, including second in command of the agency and Chief of Field Operations.

In his 22-years with the State Police, O'Donnell has also headed the Patrol and Detective Bureaus and the Intelligence and Executive Security Units.

In 2009, he was sworn in as a U.S. Marshal and played a key role in obtaining escaped ACI inmate Nayquan Gadson in the fall of 2010.

After Governor Chafee announces his decision at Monday afternoon's press conference, the Rhode Island State Senate must vote to confirm his choice.

Stay with Eyewitness News for further details on this developing story.