Office of the Executive High Sheriff

Colonel Gary P. Dias

A Message From Sheriff Gary Dias

The Rhode Island Sheriff's Department welcomes you to its website. The Rhode Island Sheriffs were established in 1663 and is one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the country.

The Rhode Island Sheriff's Department is comprised of one hundred, ninety-six men and women who are assigned to various job functions within Rhode Island's four County Court facilities (Providence County, Kent County, Newport County and Washington County. The court facility in Bristol County was closed in 2002.) and our Inmate Custody, Control and Transportation Unit (Located in Cranston).

The functions of the Department include Courtroom/Judicial Security, Court Facility and Cellblock Operation, Inmate Transportation, Interstate Extraditions, Interstate Inmate Transfers, Writ Service and Body Attachments.

The Executive High Sheriff is responsible for the overall administration of the Department. He works with a command staff consisting of a Major, County Sheriffs, Chief Deputy Sheriffs, Captains, Lieutenants and Sergeants. Kent, and Newport Counties each have a County Sheriff who is charged with the responsibility of supervising their respective county court facility and all assigned personnel.

News From The RI Sheriffs

The Sheriff's Department has moved into our new Headquarters located on the lower level of the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal.

Questions About the Courts System?

Please visit the Rhode Island Judiciary's Website at www.courts.state.ri.us

Frequently Asked Questions

Select a question from the list above and click on "Go" or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for a complete list of common questions.

Sheriff's Most Wanted