HAUPPAUGE, NY – Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine today joined with the Suffolk County Legislature, Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo, and members of the Suffolk County Police Department as Kevin Catalina was sworn in as the 16th commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department.
Catalina’s nomination was approved by the Suffolk County Legislature at its February 4, 2025, general meeting.
Catalina, who previously served as Deputy Police Commissioner with the Suffolk County Police Department, has more than 33 years of law enforcement experience with two of the largest police departments in the country.
“Today serves as a monumental day in Suffolk County as we are proud to introduce Kevin Catalina as our Police Commissioner formally,” said Romaine. “Commissioner Catalina is a man of honor and integrity and will serve as a tremendous leader of the men and women of the Suffolk County Police Department while serving as a steward to our communities.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to become commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department, the best police department in the country,” Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said. “This is a dream come true. I am excited to utilize my more than 30 years of law enforcement experience and work alongside a knowledgeable and professional executive team to implement strategies to continue to drive down crime while building relationships with our residents through community policing efforts.”
“Kevin Catalina has shown over the course of a distinguished career why he’s said to be “a cop’s cop,” said Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey. “I fully expect that the leadership, innovation, and achievements that make up his remarkable experience over three decades will prove invaluable in making Suffolk County a safer place. I’m proud to support him as Commissioner.”
Commissioner Catalina is nationally recognized as a subject matter expert and innovator of anti-gang violence strategies. He brings 20 years of experience on the executive level, which has led to a unique crime prevention and management skillset.
Before his time at the SCPD, Catalina served as the Undersheriff for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office for more than five years. Catalina oversaw approximately 250 deputy sheriffs as well as the Corrections Division Intelligence Bureau of 30 investigators and a unit of analysts. Catalina was successful in creating and implementing a corrections-based intelligence model utilizing jail-based intelligence that assisted in solving and preventing crimes within the community.
Catalina’s law enforcement career began in 1992 as a police officer in the New York Police Department’s 103rd Precinct. He quickly moved up the ranks, spending 20 years in supervisory roles including three stints as a commanding officer.
Catalina was then promoted to Deputy Chief and served as the Commanding Officer of the Gang Division. Catalina developed and implemented all gang investigative and suppression strategies that continue to be utilized citywide.
He served as the executive officer/operations commander of Patrol Borough Manhattan North and was responsible for directing operations for 12 precinct commands between March 2016 and August 2017. He oversaw planning and site security at major events including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and New York City Marathon.
Catalina was named Commanding Officer of the Intelligence Bureau Operational and Analytical Section in August 2017 as Deputy Chief. During the following 11 months, he oversaw all counterterrorist investigations within the NYPD Intelligence Division. Catalina directed a unique, deep-cover, anti-terror program based on federal law enforcement models. He retired from the NYPD after 27 years of service.
Catalina is a graduate of the State University of New York at Oneonta where he received a Bachelor of Arts in History. He also received a Certificate in Police Management from Columbia University’s Police Management Institute in 2010. Catalina is a lifelong resident of Suffolk County.
Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. said, “I have had the privilege of working alongside Kevin Catalina for many years, starting over a decade ago when we collaborated as counterparts in NYC law enforcement with the NYCDOC and NYPD. 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. We have already seen that his extensive experience in policing, corrections intelligence and his strong relationship with the Sheriff’s Office have greatly enhanced law enforcement collaboration over the past year, making our communities safer than ever. 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."
Lou Civello, Suffolk County PBA President said, “Kevin Catalina brings decades of law enforcement experience, a spirit of innovation and unsurpassed dedication to the role of Suffolk County Police Commissioner. As the former Deputy PC, he worked diligently to make Suffolk one of the safest counties in the nation earning the respect of the rank and file. We congratulate him on being appointed Police Commissioner and look forward to continuing to work with him protecting Suffolk County residents.”
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