Richard Robert Caples (December 23, 1921 – April 28, 2002) was an American politician who served as Massachusetts public safety commissioner.

Caples and his family arrived at the Governor's office for his swearing in, however, MacDonald showed up and announced that he never intended to resign.

MacDonald's wife, however, convinced her husband to return to his law practice and at 11:35 pm on December 22, Caples was sworn in.

[2] Caples appointment was to fill the unexpired term of Frank S. Giles, who had been suspended since his indictment on charges of conspiracy, larceny, aiding and abetting in making false reports, and conflict of interest.

[5] Caples practiced law in Boston for many years and during the 1970s also served as an assistant attorney general under Robert H. Quinn.