Catalina served as deputy commissioner since and before that was appointed undersheriff in Sheriff Errol Toulon's office since Catalina, an expert in gang suppression and counter-terrorism was instrumental in expanding the sheriff's office's role in the Gilgo Beach Task Force. There, he was also responsible for all intelligence operations, deputy sheriff commands, and the training academy, according to his biography. Before his time in Suffolk, Catalina, a county resident, was with the New York Police Department for 26 years before retiring as deputy chief and commanding officer of the Intelligence Bureau, Operational and Analytical Section.
He held a range of positions relating to counterterrorist operations and investigations, logistical planning, and site security, and as the commanding officer of the Gang Division from to , he developed all gang investigative and suppression strategies used throughout the city.
He is recognized as a subject-matter expert in gang violence and crime reduction strategies, and pioneered an initiative in the South Bronx resulting in a 4o percent reduction in shooting incidents. After announcing his nomination last week, County Executive Ed Romaine said that he will also be making more changes at the police department in the coming month, including the appointments of the chiefs of detectives and operations, as well as improvements to some of the department's precinct buildings and the Marine Bureau's facilities.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Peggy Spellman Hoey , Patch Staff. Find out what's happening in Patchogue for free with the latest updates from Patch. He called it an "exciting time to be in police work.
