NEWS

Cranston native named first Black RISP superintendent

Posted 5/4/22

By EMMA BARTLETT

Cranston native Colonel Darnell Weaver chose to go into law enforcement after serving in the Marine Corps for three years because it epitomized the structure, integrity and …

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NEWS

Cranston native named first Black RISP superintendent

Posted

By EMMA BARTLETT

Cranston native Colonel Darnell Weaver chose to go into law enforcement after serving in the Marine Corps for three years because it epitomized the structure, integrity and discipline he experienced as a Marine.  After serving 28 years in the Rhode Island State Police, Governor Dan McKee appointed  Weaver the 15th Superintendent of RISP at the State House on Friday.

Weaver succeeds Colonel James Manni who was appointed Superintendent of RISP in 2018. Manni will now take on the position of town manager for South Kingstown. Manni, who was the master of ceremonies for Friday’s event, recalled the first time he saw Weaver.

“The reason it stuck out in my mind was because he looked like Hercules,” said Manni, who was one of Weaver’s field training officers.

He said Weaver was driven, disciplined, a hard-charger and very squared away. He was a quiet professional who was passionate, fair, trustworthy and dedicated.

“I had faith in him from the beginning,” Manni said.

Weaver graduated from the RISP trooper’s class in 1994 and received and was assigned to the Chepachet Barracks. Later, he and Manni crossed paths at the Wickford barracks.

Weaver thanked Manni for supporting him since the beginning of his career.

“His [Manni’s] optimism and love for the job was something that made an impression on me from early on,” said Weaver.

Prior to his new position, Weaver served as the Deputy Superintendent and Chief of Field Operations. In that position, he oversaw and was responsible for the Patrol Bureau, Detective Bureau, Division specialty units, Administration Bureau and Department of Public Safety.

According to a press release, Weaver also served at all barracks as a member of the Uniform Bureau, including as Night Executive Officer and Assistant Patrol Commander of both Hope Valley and Wickford Barracks. He was a member of the Honor Guard Unit and served as a Field Training Officer as well as the District “A” Commander. He was the officer-in-charge of the State Police Training Academy and Commandant of the 2016 Rhode Island State Police Recruit Training Academy class. He later served as the Director of Training and oversaw the daily operations of the Division Training Academy, and Municipal Training Academy. More recently, he was the Uniform Bureau Commander and was responsible for uniform troopers throughout Rhode Island.

Weaver’s wife of 21 years, Michelle, and his two children, joined Weaver for his swearing in on Friday; Governor Dan McKee spoke to Weaver’s ability as a supervisor and leader.

“He has the capability to lead, the experience to command, and he has the integrity to uphold the duties of the state police,” said McKee.

Weaver said he was honored and humbled for being selected for the position of Superintendent of RISP and promised Rhode Island residents that the state police would continue to earn the citizens’ respect every day.

RISP, superintendent

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