Rhode Island General Laws Title 42. State Affairs and Government § 42-28-2. Establishment--Superintendent--General duties

Within the department of public safety there shall be the Rhode Island state police. The head of the state police shall be the superintendent of state police who shall be a qualified police administrator and shall be appointed by the governor, shall serve at his or her pleasure and shall have the rank of full colonel. The state police shall perform the duties required by this chapter; and chapter 47 of title 11; and by all other provisions of the general laws and public laws, insofar as those powers and duties relate to the Rhode Island state police and the superintendent of state police. The superintendent shall appoint and supervise such officers as may be required by law.