Village of Catskill appoints new chief of police

CATSKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The village of Catskill has appointed a new police chief, as current Chief Ronald Frascello submitted a letter of retirement to village trustees. Lieutenant Daniel Waer will start his new position on Nov. 25.

On Wednesday, Nov. 13, village trustees accepted Frascello's retirement, stating that his last day is Nov. 24. "In his retirement letter, he cited personal reasons," Village Vice President Natasha Law said at Wednesday's board meeting.

Frascello has been police chief since 2022 but has been in the department for about 29 years. Frascello was hired as a patrolman in 1996, promoted to Sergeant in 2004 and became a Lieutenant in 2012.

Waer, his successor, has been in the department for 28 years. He was hired as an officer in 1996 and has been a Lieutenant for the past four years.

"We (Frascello and Waer) were partners for a long time, and Frascello was always very dedicated to the job," Waer said. "I worked my way up in the department so being appointed chief is a big accomplishment."

In January, the police department maintained its accreditation status as Frascello and Waer worked together to meet or exceed department expectations, set by the state. The department has been an accredited agency continuously since 2009 and will now be accredited through 2029. Of about 540 law enforcement agencies in New York State, only 174 are accredited.

"I’m honored they (the village board) chose me to continue to serve everyone in the village," he said. Waer said he will be sworn in on Nov. 25 at 6 p.m.