Past Commissioners

The following individuals have presided over the Connecticut State Police, as Superintendent or Commissioner, since its inception in 1903.


Ronnell Higgins

Position: Commissioner

Start Date: November 13, 2023
End Date: Present


James C. Rovella

Position: Commissioner

Start Date: February 20, 2019
End Date: November 1, 2023


William J. Hackett

Position: Acting Commissioner

Start Date: November 19, 2018
End Date: February 20, 2019


Dora B. Schriro

Position: Commissioner

Start Date: March 12, 2014
End Date: December 31, 2018


Reuben F. Bradford

Position: Commissioner

Start Date: April 5, 2011
End Date: February 1, 2014


James M. 'Skip' Thomas

Position: Commissioner, Department of Public Safety and State Police

Start Date: June 10, 2010
End Date: March 2011


John A. Danaher III

Position: Commissioner, Department of Public Safety and State Police

Start Date: March 5, 2007
End Date: May 5, 2010


Leonard C. Boyle

Position: Commissioner, Department of Public Safety and State Police

Start Date: August 16, 2004
End Date: March 1, 2007


Arthur L. Spada

Position: Commissioner, Department of Public Safety and State Police

Start Date: June 1, 2000
End Date: August 1, 2004


Dr. Henry C. Lee

Position: Commissioner, Department of Public Safety and State Police

Start Date: July 1, 1998
End Date: May 31, 2000


John Connelly

Position: Commissioner, Department of Public Safety and State Police

Start Date: January 1, 1998
End Date: June 30, 1998


William McGuire, Colonel

Position: Acting Commissioner, Department of Public Safety and State Police

Start Date: August 1, 1997
End Date: January 1, 1998


Kenneth H. Kirschner, Colonel

Position: Commissioner, Department of Public Safety and State Police

Start Date: January 5, 1995
End Date: August 1, 1997


Nicholas Cioffi

Position: Commissioner of Public Safety

Start Date: February 1, 1991
End Date: January 4, 1995


Bernard R. Sullivan

Position: Commissioner of Public Safety

Start Date: November 12, 1989
End Date: January 31, 1991


Lester J. Forst, Colonel

Position: Deputy Commissioner

Start Date: May 15, 1981
End Date: February 25, 1983

Position: Commissioner, Department of Public Safety and State Police

Start Date: February 25, 1983
End Date: November 12, 1989


Donald J. Long, Colonel

Position: Acting Commissioner

Start Date: August 15, 1978
End Date: December 31, 1978

Position: Commissioner, Department of Public Safety and State Police

Start Date: January 1, 1979
End Date: October 20, 1982


Edward P. Leonard, Colonel

Position: Commissioner

Start Date: May 1, 1975
End Date: December 31, 1978


Cleveland B. Fuessenich, Colonel

Position: Commissioner

Start Date: April 1, 1971
End Date: April 30, 1975


Leo J. Mulcahy, Colonel

Position: Commissioner

Start Date: July 1, 1959
End Date: March 31, 1971


John C. Kelly, Colonel

Position: Commissioner

Start Date: October 20, 1953
End Date: June 30, 1959


Edward J. Hickey, Colonel

Position: Commissioner of Public Safety

Start Date: July 1, 1939
End Date: September 22, 1953

Died in office


Anthony P. Sunderland, Colonel

Position: Commissioner

Start Date: July 1, 1931
End Date: June 30, 1939


Robert T. Hurley

Position: Superintendent

Start Date: July 1, 1921
End Date: June 30, 1927

Position: Commissioner

Start Date: July 1, 1921
End Date: June 30, 1927


Thomas F. Egan

Position: Superintendent

Start Date: July 1, 1903
End Date: June 30, 1921