Two RVC officers promoted at trustee meeting

The Rockville Centre Police Department promoted two its officers at the board of trustees’ meeting on Jan. 3. Police Officer Paul Kaplon was promoted to sergeant and Police Officer Nicholas DeLuca was promoted to detective.

“One of the greatest privileges I have as police commissioner, besides responding to parking complaints,” joked Commissioner Charles Gennario, “is acknowledging the good work of the people under my command and tonight I have the pleasure of doing that twice.”

Officer Kaplon joined the RVCPD in 2010. He grew up in Suffolk County, was an avid soccer player (making the All-Long Island team twice) and a member of the United States Marine Corps. “A man after my own heart,” Gennario commented. The commissioner was also a Marine. He began studying engineering at Stony Brook University in 2007, but took a break to become a police officer. He eventually returned to finish his bachelors. He currently lives in Suffolk County with his wife Melissa and two children: Joseph and Ryan.

Officer DeLuca became part of the force in 2011. He grew up in Farmingdale. He became the department’s youth officer in 2014 and has been heavily active in the community with outreach groups such as the Rockville Centre Coalition for Youth. He is a common sight at clubs and schools across the village.

DeLuca has an extensive background in both computer and information technology as well as the martial arts. He met his future wife, Stacey in 1989 through his martial arts training and the two have four children together: Emilia, 8, Angelina, 6, Liliana, 3 and Michael, 1 month old. They live in Smithtown.

“This is a very elite group that these two men are entering,” said Village Administrator Kathleen Murray. “It’s a very special promotion for Paul Kaplon, a very special designation for Nick DeLuca and something we should all be very proud of on their behalf.”