WASHINGTON, DC - Today, after the White House announced President Obama's intent to nominate former Glocester police chief Jamie Hainsworth to be the next U.S. Marshal for Rhode Island, United States Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, who recommended Chief Hainsworth for the job, issued the following statement:

“Chief Hainsworth is an experienced law enforcement officer who has had a successful career in criminal justice.  He is a capable leader who has handled every aspect of law enforcement from making arrests, to overseeing a staff and budget, to serving as a community liaison.  Chief Hainsworth is widely respected throughout Rhode Island’s law enforcement community for his character and integrity and we are confident he will make an outstanding U.S. Marshal,” said Reed and Whitehouse.

U.S. Marshals play an important and versatile role in the federal justice system, overseeing federal courthouse security, witness protection, the apprehension of federal fugitives, and the transport of federal prisoners.  They are appointed by the President and must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to a four-year term of service.

Chief Hainsworth has over 30 years of law enforcement experience, rising from a young patrolman to the position of Chief of Police in the Town of Glocester, the first person to achieve that distinction in the Department’s history.  A graduate of Roger Williams University, Chief Hainsworth was elected President of the Rhode Island Police Chief’s Association by his peers and served on the Executive Board of the New England Police Chief’s Association.

Now that Chief Hainsworth has been nominated by the President, he must be approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and then confirmed by the full Senate.