Gov. Gina Raimondo on Thursday appointed Ann Assumpico as superintendent of the agency, effective immediately.

Assumpico becomes the 13th superintendent of the state police. She is also the first woman to lead any police agency in Rhode Island.

Assumpico succeeds Steven O’Donnell, who retired in September.

She was a captain and a member of O’Donnell’s command staff and had overseen the Rhode Island State Police Training Academy and the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy.

“Colonel Assumpico embodies the best of Rhode Island. She’s a ‘trooper’s trooper’ and will build on the rich tradition of the Rhode Island State Police,” said Raimondo. “Ann has spent nearly 40 years in law enforcement and has come up through the ranks. Before joining the State Police, she worked nights as a correctional officer, she was a patrol officer in Coventry, and served in every barracks and nearly every corner of the state. Her work ethic and determination will provide a powerful reminder to every Rhode Islander that anyone who works hard and never gives up can achieve great things.”

“On behalf of the Office of Attorney General, I extend congratulations to Captain Ann Assumpico on being named Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police,” said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.  “Colonel Assumpico has served with distinction and honor throughout her nearly 40-year career in law enforcement, first as a correctional officer, then as an officer with the Coventry Police Department, and most recently the last 24 years with the Rhode Island State Police.   Her experience will serve her well as she takes command of the State Police and carries on the long tradition of individuals who have made the State Police one of the most respected and finest law enforcement agencies in the country.”

“I am honored and humbled to lead the Rhode Island State Police,” said Assumpico. “For nearly 40 years, I’ve put on a uniform and gone to work every day to serve the people of Rhode Island – as a correctional officer at the ACI, as a patrol officer in Coventry and, for the last 24 years, as a State Trooper, Lieutenant and member of the Rhode Island State Police command staff. The State Police have a storied tradition and a stellar reputation. I look forward to building on that strength and opening the doors of the State Police to more Rhode Islanders.”

She has spent nearly 40 years in law enforcement and previously was a correctional officer and Coventry patrol officer. She has been with the state police for 24 years.