J. William Reynolds, the mayor of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, slammed Sean Reifel for quitting his job as a police officer to star on season 8 of \u201cLove Island USA.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reynolds expressed disappointment in Reifel for leaving less than one year after being sworn in, noting the investment made in his training, and the gap in community services, told<\/a> local outlet WHTM, May 29.<\/p>\n \u201cOur police department spent a lot of time training and we paid thousands of taxpayer dollars to send him to the police academy,\u201d Reynolds said.<\/p>\n \u201cI never thought I\u2019d see the day in America where reality show participation wins out over being a police officer,\u201d Reynolds said.<\/p>\n A Facebook post shared by the Bethlehem Police Department revealed Reifel was sworn in on August 18, 2025 by Mayor Reynolds, \u201ctaking his oath to serve and protect the City of Bethlehem with integrity, professionalism, and dedication.\u201d<\/p>\n Reynolds doubled down on the impact of Reifel\u2019s decision to abandon his commitment and emphasized the impact on the community at large.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are disappointed he left, as we now have another vacancy in our department that is impossible to fill until next year,\u201d Reynolds said.<\/p>\n Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott also addressed Reifel\u2019s departure from the force during a May 30 interview<\/a> with The Morning Call.<\/p>\n \u201cI love Sean, he\u2019s a good guy, he was a great officer, but I\u2019m disappointed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cJust because we work so incredibly hard to try to recruit the best people we can to be part of the Bethlehem Police Department.\u201d<\/p>\n Kott commented on Reifel\u2019s abrupt decision by saying, \u201cIt\u2019s just a bad look to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDepartments across the country \u2026 are struggling to fill vacancies,\u201d she said. (RELATED: Actor\u2019s Girlfriend Breaks Silence After Son Arrested For Allegedly Fatal Stabbing)<\/a><\/p>\n Bethlehem police officer resigns to appear on reality show \u2018Love Island,\u2019 mayor says https:\/\/t.co\/TxaJtsZS5O<\/a><\/p>\n