The Animal Control Unit is dedicated to the safety and well-being of both our residents and the animal population.
Core Responsibilities
Animal Control
The Animal Control Unit is dedicated to the safety and well-being of both our residents and the animal population.
Captain Maari (Beltrami) Stainer has served in law enforcement for 27 years, 22 of which have been dedicated to the City of East Providence. Captain Stainer holds a master’s degree in criminal justice administration and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Throughout her career in the East Providence Police Department, she has served in numerous roles. Starting as a Patrol Officer, she then became a Field Training Officer; a Use of Force Instructor; joined the Peer Support team and became a Special Reaction Team (SRT) Operator for nine years. She has proudly been an Instructor at the RI Municipal Police Training Academy since 2007. Her teaching specialties include Fitness Instructor, Day One Cadre, Fair & Impartial Policing and Report Writing.
Her promotion to Detective, assigned to major crimes, started her ascent in ranks throughout the department. She was later promoted to Sergeant, serving in the Patrol Division and then assigned to the Office of Professional Standards. Next, as a Lieutenant, she first served as a Patrol Commander, then led the Planning and Training Unit during the COVID-19 pandemic; civil unrest; and state standardization of policing. Her work to seek RI State Accreditation for the department prompted an Accreditation Manager position. As the first Accreditation Manager, she assisted the Police Department to earn state accreditation. In her final role as a Lieutenant, she led the Prosecution Unit and was the departments Hate Crime Liaison to the RI Attorney General’s Office.
Captain Stainer has received several awards and commendations throughout her service with the department.
Captain Stainer oversees the Department’s Honor Guard, Crisis Negotiation Team and the RAD Women’s Self Defense Program. She now serves as the Department Services Division Commander.
Captain Brian Mulvey attended Lynchburg College and Roger Williams University. Graduated from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy in December 1997 and began his career with the East Providence Police Department in the Patrol Division.
While serving in the capacity of a patrol officer, Captain Mulvey became a field training officer and drug recognition expert (DRE). Then he was assigned to the Community Policing Unit and then to the Traffic Division, where he became a certified traffic reconstructionist. From his position in the Traffic Division, Captain Mulvey was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and became a road supervisor in the Patrol Division in 2013. Captain Mulvey was later assigned as a sergeant in the Office of Professional Standards.
In 2019, Captain Mulvey was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant where he served in the Patrol Division, Planning & Training Unit and Detective Division. In April of 2025, Captain Mulvey was promoted to the rank of Captain and became the Patrol Commander where he serves today.
Captain Pacheco attended the police academy and graduated in class 2000-1. Captain Pacheco served in the patrol division as a patrol officer for 10 years where he also served as a field training officer. During that time Captain Pacheco received the Medal of Valor from the American Legion for his actions in rescuing residents of a house fire. In 2010 Captain Pacheco was promoted to the rank of Sgt and in 2014 was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Captain Pacheco served as a shift OIC and the Detective Lieutenant before moving to the Planning and Training Division. Captain Pacheco was promoted to Captain in 2025 and is currently the Commander in charge of the Operations Division where he oversees the Planning and Training Division, Accreditation Unit and Vehicle/Fleet Officer. Captain Pacheco is the department Taser program coordinator and oversees the Animal Control and Harbormaster divisions.
During his entire career he has served as the Advisor for the East Providence Police Explorers and has been the assistant director of the Explorer Police Academy since its inception in 2010. He has received the William H Spurgen award from the Boy Scouts of America for his work with the Explorer Programs around the state. Captain Pacheco is also an instructor for the department and for the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy.
Deputy Chief Andy Benoit began his law enforcement career with the East Providence Police Department in 2003 after graduating from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy (Class 2003-1). He earned an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement from the Community College of Rhode Island.
Throughout his career, Deputy Chief Benoit has held a variety of leadership and specialized assignments. As a patrol officer, he served as a certified Use of Force Instructor for both the department and the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy. He was also certified in Taser, OC spray, baton, and LOCKUP defensive tactics, training hundreds of officers over the course of his instructional tenure. In addition, he served as a Field Training Officer, mentoring and developing newly hired officers.
In 2005, Deputy Chief Benoit was selected for the department’s Special Reaction Team, where he advanced through the ranks to Team Leader, Assistant Commander, and, in 2022, Team Commander.
He was promoted to Sergeant in 2014 and assigned to the Patrol Division. In 2017, he was promoted to Lieutenant, serving in the Patrol Division and later as Administrative Lieutenant. He was subsequently assigned to the Prosecution Division before being promoted to Captain in 2023. As Captain, he commanded the Services Division and oversaw the department’s records and communications functions.
In April 2025, Deputy Chief Benoit was named Acting Deputy Chief and assumed responsibility for the agency’s day-to-day operational, strategic, and financial management. In January 2026, he was permanently appointed Deputy Chief of the East Providence Police Department.
Chief Michael Rapoza began his law enforcement career with the Swansea Police Department, where he served as a patrol officer before joining the East Providence Police Department in 2005. Throughout his career, he has held a wide range of assignments reflecting operational leadership, investigative experience, and a strong commitment to professional development.
As a patrol officer, Chief Rapoza served as a Field Training Officer, Drug Recognition Expert, and department firearms instructor. He was later assigned to the Vice/Narcotics Division, where he worked in an undercover capacity with the DEA Providence Office and the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office South Coast Anti-Crime Team in New Bedford. Following his promotion to Sergeant, he returned to the Patrol Division before transferring to the Office of Professional Standards.
Chief Rapoza also served in instructional and leadership roles at the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy, where he was a firearms instructor and ultimately the Firearms Program Manager for police departments across the State of Rhode Island. He was later promoted to Lieutenant and then Captain, commanding both the Services Division and the Operations Division.
In April 2025, Chief Rapoza was promoted to Deputy Chief and subsequently appointed Acting Chief in June 2025. In January 2026, he was officially appointed Chief of Police. He is a long-term member of the department’s Peer Support Team and served for 16 years as an operator and team leader with the Special Reaction Team.
Chief Rapoza’s leadership philosophy centers on officer wellness, professional development, and ensuring that sworn and civilian personnel have the tools, training, and support necessary to perform at the highest level in service to the community.
Chief Rapoza holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Westfield State College and a Master of Public Administration from Johnson & Wales University. He also earned a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Detective Captain Mark S. Cadoret has served the East Providence Police Department for over two decades. He joined the force in 2001 as a patrol officer and quickly stood out, earning a spot on the Special Reaction Team by 2004, where he later became a Team Leader.
Over the years, Captain Cadoret earned steady promotions through the ranks, serving as a Patrol Sergeant in 2008 and a Patrol Lieutenant in 2012, before taking over leadership of the Prosecution Division in 2013. In 2021, he was sworn in as Captain, a role where he now used his experience to guide the department in the Planning & Training Division and then the Patrol Division. Today, he serves as the Detective Commander.
Alongside his field achievements, he has earned his Bachelor’s degree from Roger Williams University and a Master’s degree from Salve Regina University. Captain Cadoret was a use of force instructor and also developed and continues to oversee the city’s Active Shooter Program, which is now integrated into local school and many area businesses. Throughout his long career, he has won honors like the Exceptional Service Award and the Legion Award, and he works closely with the East Providence Juvenile Hearing Board to help local youth get a second chance through restorative justice.
