The rookie officer and father was recently announced as one of 12 Islanders on Season 8 of Peacock’s hit reality dating show “Love Island USA.” Reifel was sworn into the Bethlehem Police Department on Aug. 18, 2025, according to a department social media post. His last day on the job was reportedly May 20.

But as Reifel heads to the villa ahead of the show’s Tuesday, June 2 premiere, local officials say his departure leaves behind more than an empty desk.

Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds told ABC27 that the city invested thousands of taxpayer dollars in Reifel’s police academy training and was disappointed to lose him less than a year after he joined the force. Reynolds said the vacancy created by Reifel’s exit likely won’t be filled until 2027.

“I never thought I’d see the day in America where reality show participation wins out over being a police officer,” the mayor told ABC27.

The timing is particularly frustrating for a department already battling staffing shortages, The Morning Call reports. The department currently has 15 vacancies among its 152 sworn officers, Police Chief Michelle Kott told the outlet. Replacing even one officer is a lengthy process, requiring months of academy instruction, department training, and field supervision before recruits can patrol on their own.

Kott said the department works “incredibly hard” to recruit top candidates and expressed disappointment over Reifel’s decision to leave.

Meanwhile, Reifel is introducing himself to a much different audience.

“I’m not a model, I’m not an actor. I’m a police officer. You could be having the worst day of your life and I’ll just help you sift through that. The more thoughtful you are I think that sh– is so pretty, I love it.”

New episodes of “Love Island USA” will drop every day at 9 p.m.

Click here for more from ABC27 and here for more from The Morning Call.


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