L.B. Police Commish Ragona resigns in signal the city will hire high-ranking Nassau officer

Long Beach Police Commissioner Phil Ragona, who has been with the city's department for 35 years but came out of retirement to serve in an acting capacity only five months ago in hopes of getting the top post full time, announced his retirement Friday.

Ragona sent a farewell message to the approximately 60 uniformed officers in the Long Beach Department. The letter was obtained by the Herald through a source in the city. Ragona declined to comment publicly and did not state his future plans.

The letter signals that Long Beach will hire Ronald Walsh, 50, the Nassau County Police Department's chief of staff.

City officials did not respond to requests for comments about Ragona's letter or whether Walsh would be hired and, if so, when.

Ragona, a well-known figure in Long Beach who, according to city observers enjoyed the support of the majority of police officers, and Walsh, a highly-experienced law-enforcement officer, engaged in a zoom discussion at the end of October. They answered questions from a moderator asking why each felt he would make the best choice for the job.

In his letter to the police department, Ragona said his last day was Friday. "After 35 years of working for the city, a smile comes to my face," he said. "Although my time as the Police Commissioner lasted only five months and ended more abruptly than I would have liked, I feel grateful. I am grateful to have led a Police Department of professionals, Police Officers and civilians, alike.

"Each of you are working in trying times," Ragona continued, referring to demonstrations by the Black Lives Movement, protests calling for "police reform" following the deaths of civilians, the covid 19 pandemic and "anti-police sentiment."

Ragona said the job of police officer was often "thankless," and stressed the importance for the officers in Long Beach to remain safe and healthy.

Ragona, 57, retired in 2013 but was called back to duty that same year when Commissioner Ed Ryan retired. The city has been seeking a permanent police commissioner since the retirement of Michael Tangney almost two years ago.

Complicating matters, the Long Beach PBA has been working without a contract since 2015 and is in the middle of often contentious negotiations with the city. An arbitrator recently ruled against raises for the PBA, which plans to fight the decision.

Brian Wells, president of the Long Beach PBA, said he enjoyed a good working relationship with Ragona and hopes to have the same relationship with a new police commissioner.

But, Wells said, it has been difficult because I'm the one year he has been PBA president, there have been three different police commissioners.

"It's impossible to get things done because the administration keeps shuffling people in and out," Wells said. "We're not making any progress on a new contract." But he said the police force remains strong and is well-trained."Luckily, the guys know what to do," Wells said. He said, however, the department remains understaffed, particularly when it comes to higher-ranking officers.