Overview
- Sean Reifel resigned from the Bethlehem Police Department effective May 20 and appears as a contestant on Love Island USA, which premiered June 2.
- Mayor J. William Reynolds and Police Chief Michelle Kott publicly criticized the resignation, saying the city paid thousands for Reifel’s training and that his exit creates a vacancy the department cannot fill this year.
- Bethlehem policy prohibits active officers from doing reality television, so officials say officers must resign rather than take leave to appear on a show, which the chief said drives overtime and burnout for remaining staff.
- Peacock promotional material introduced Reifel as a police officer even after he left the force, and public court records show he filed a custody complaint in January 2025 that led to a temporary shared legal custody order.
- Family members have pushed back on officials’ account, saying Reifel has prior law-enforcement experience in Northern California and disputing who paid for his academy training, and city leaders say he may be allowed to reapply after the show.