Command Staff
CHIEF SHERIFF
Agency Director, Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs
Chief Sheriff Paul M. Martellini
Paul M. Martellini was officially sworn-in as Chief Sheriff of the Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs on October 16, 2024. He is responsible for the daily operation, policy implementation and direction of the Sheriffs, to include the custody, safety, discipline, and well-being of prisoners and defendants in state courts and other buildings.
Chief Martellini is a 33-year veteran law enforcement officer and most recently served as the Executive Officer, second in command, of the Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs, and had served as Acting Chief Sheriff since April 2024.
Chief Martellini joined the Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs in 2014 and was responsible for the esprit de corps of the organization, policy development, operational efficiency, planning and development, and internal affairs.
Chief Martellini graduated from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy in 1991 for the East Greenwich Police Department and served as a patrol officer for two years before being hired by the North Providence Police Department. Chief Martellini rose through the ranks and retired after 22 years of service at the rank of Chief of Police.
Chief Martellini holds a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice from Roger Williams University, where he graduated Cum Laude. Chief Martellini is also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Executive Development Seminar. He was the recipient of the 2011 Attorney General’s Justice Award for commitment to justice/leadership.
MAJOR
Executive Officer
Major Alfred P. Barra
Major Alfred P. Barra, a 37-year veteran law enforcement officer, is the Executive Officer and second in command of the Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs.
As the Executive Officer, Major Barra is responsible for the overall management of the Division's operations and personnel on a statewide basis. Major Barra leads strategic initiatives for future planning, resource management, and staff development. Major Barra supervises and drives investigative efforts related to personnel complaints and use-of-force incidents, ensuring the Division’s adherence to the highest professional standards.
Major Barra has been integral to the development and management of judicial security operations, personnel training, accreditation processes, and departmental oversight, rising through the ranks to the position of Deputy Sheriff Major.
Major Barra began his law enforcement career in 1987, graduating from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy for the Town of North Providence. Major Barra served with the North Providence Police Department for 23 years, where he rose through the ranks to Detective Captain. After 23 years of service with the North Providence Police Department, Major Barra joined the Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs.
He is a graduate of the 2009 Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs Academy. Prior to his promotion, Major Barra served as the Lieutenant in charge of the Training and Accreditation Division.
He has demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise across a wide range of roles within the Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs and the North Providence Police Department.
Major Barra holds a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies from Rhode Island College and an Associate Degree in Business Administration from the Community College of Rhode Island. Major Barra is also a graduate of the Drug Enforcement Task Force Training Academy and the University of Rhode Island's Scientific Criminal Investigations School.
CAPTAINS
Northern District Commander
Captain Jason Allaire
Captain Jason Allaire is a graduate of the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy Class 1995-1. He currently serves as the Officer in Charge of the Licht and Garrahy Judicial Complex’s. He has served as The Division’s Training Academy Commandant from 2006 - 2018. He served as the Divisions Honor Guard Commander from 2006 - 2018 and has been the lead Firearms Instructor for the Division since 2002. He was assigned as the First CTO/Class Mentor for the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy in 2009 and was also part of the RIMPA Firearms Training Unit from 2009-2012.
Before his employment with The Division of Sheriffs, he served as a Rhode Island State Marshal from 1994 until the merger of the Marshals and Sheriffs in 2002. Prior to his employment with the State of Rhode Island, he served as a Corrections Officer, Range Instructor, and SRT Team member at MCI Cedar Junction in Walpole Massachusetts 1991-1994.
Captain Allaire is a graduate of the Mass. DOC training Academy 1991, Graduate of the Rhode Island Municipal Police in 1995, FBI Certified Firearms Instructor, Taser Instructor, LEADS instructor, and has completed course studies at Massasoit Community College and Eastern Gateway Community College.
Southern District Commander and Special Operations Officer
Captain Christopher Reilly
Captain Christopher Reilly, a graduate of the 2001-1 recruit class, serves as the Southern District Commander and Special Operations Officer. The Southern Commander is responsible for day-to-day operations in Kent County, Newport County, and Washington County.
Captain Reilly is responsible for statewide operations including hospitals, information technology, mutual aid response, protective and security details, and the Public Order Platoon. He also serves as the Division’s liaison to the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence. As a trainer, he serves as an instructor for several disciplines, including law enforcement active shooter response, civilian active shooter response, and basic tactical medicine.
Captain Reilly has served in Providence County, Newport County, and Headquarters Commands. His previous assignments included leading the Division’s operations in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Officer in Charge of Transportation, Civil Process, and Fugitive Operations, and Non-Commissioned Officer for Newport County. As a deputy assigned to Newport County, he served as a Narcotics Detection canine handler.
Captain Reilly holds a Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School and is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association, admitted to practice law in the State of Rhode Island. He was the recipient of the 2012 Attorney General’s Justice Award for Law Enforcement and is a graduate of the 21st session of the Department of Homeland Security Leadership Academy.
Administrative and Headquarters Commander
Captain Daniel Savard
Captain Daniel Savard graduated from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy in class 99-3. Captain Savard started his career with the Rhode Island State Marshals in March 1999 and currently serves as the Administrative Captain and Headquarters Officer in Charge.
During the Rhode Island State Marshals and Rhode Island Sherriff’s Department merger in 2001, he was assigned as a Deputy Sheriff in the Inmate Custody Control and Transport Unit and the Headquarters Control Center. As a Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs Supervisor, he was the Officer in Charge of the McGrath Judicial Courthouse, Fugitive Extradition Operations, Civil Process Unit, Inmate Custody Control, and the Transport Unit. He has coordinated security operations for multiple Rhode Island Judicial Conferences.
Captain Savard holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Justice Studies from Rhode Island College and an Associate Degree of Science and Business in Law Enforcement from the Community College of Rhode Island.