By Hank Russell
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine held a press conference at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge on January 29 to announce that he has nominated Suffolk Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin T. Catalina as the next commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department. If he is approved for the post, he would replace the acting commissioner, Robert Waring.
Waring announced he will return to his previous position as police chief. He has been on the force for 39 years. “He was a true gentleman,” Romaine said of Waring. “He was a pleasure to work with. … I cannot say enough about him.”
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to lead both departments,” Waring said. “[Catalina] will give us a great new start going into the year. We know each other, we respect each other. I know that he has tremendous experience, talent and temperament. He’s going to do a great job. I look forward to working with him.”
Catalina, along with Belinda Alvarez-Groneman, was hired as deputy commissioners “because they were excellent people,” Romaine said.
Catalina oversees the operation and administration of the Suffolk County Police Department. As deputy police commissioner, he has developed strategies to enhance police effectiveness, evaluates unit performance, and analyzes crime trends.
From 2018 to 2023, he served as the undersheriff for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, overseeing Intelligence Operations and the Training Academy. His 27-year career with the NYPD included roles such as Deputy Chief and Commanding Officer of the Intelligence Bureau’s Operational and Analytical Section. His initiatives in the NYPD’s Gang Division led to a significant reduction in shooting incidents.
“For the last year, he has proven himself as someone who knows what police work is,” Romaine said. “He has proven himself a leader, He has proven himself, and I have the confidence in him to lead the department.”
“[Romaine’s] faith in me is truly appreciated,” Catalina added. He also thanked his fellow deputy commissioner, Alvarez-Groneman, for “telling me what I have to do. I couldn’t do it without her.” He also cited Waring, telling him, “Your leadership cannot be overstated. The reason the police department is where it is today is because of your effort and dedication.”
He also praised Waring as a mentor. “I learned so much from you. Every day I go to work to learn something. I can’t even begin to remember how many things I’ve learned from you.”
Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr., who worked with Catalina when the sheriff was at the New York City Department of Corrections and appointed him as an undersheriff in 2018, noted that Catalina was also instrumental in expanding the Sheriff’s Office’s roles in numerous law enforcement taskforces, including the Gilgo Beach Homicide Task Force, as well as utilizing corrections intelligence to help partner agencies solve and prevent crimes.
“I have had the privilege of working alongside Kevin Catalina for many years,” Toulon said. “As an undersheriff, Kevin proved to be an exceptional leader, and I have no doubt he will continue to excel in his new role as the leader of the Suffolk County Police Department. … This nomination marks a well-deserved milestone in Kevin’s distinguished career, which has been defined by years of leadership and service in law enforcement. I wholeheartedly congratulate him on this new chapter, and I look forward to continuing our work together in this capacity.”
The event proved to be emotional for Catalina, as his mother passed away earlier this week. “I wish you were here,” he said. “I know you’re looking down.”
A lifelong Suffolk resident, Catalina said it was his dream to be a member of the SCPD. “I grew up admiring the Suffolk County Police Department,” he said. “I went into law enforcement a long, long time ago with the hopes of becoming a Suffolk County police officer. A year ago, I had that opportunity and it couldn’t have been a better year. … It’s been the best year of my policing career.”
Romaine will submit legislation nominating Catalina to the Legislature on February 4.