Mayor Bob Donchez announced last week the promotions of three Bethlehem Police officers.

Rodney Bronson has been promoted to the rank of captain. His last held assignment was lieutenant of the Community Services Division. He has served the Department since 2000. Through this time, he has filled various roles in the Patrol Division from officer to lieutenant. He served as a Community Police Officer in the Bethlehem Housing Authority unit and served as a School Resource Officer assigned to Liberty HS. We are confident that his strong background in Community Policing will serve the department well in his new role as captain of the Patrol Division.

Michael Leaser has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant. His last held assignment was Sergeant assigned to the Mounted Unit. In addition to that role, lieutenant Leaser is an Assistant Team Leader on the Department’s Emergency Response Team. He has served the department since 2004. Sergeant Leaser was an integral part to the development and success of the department’s mounted unit when it was re-established a little over a decade ago. The relationships and outreach conducted with the mounted unit will serve Lieutenant Leaser well in his new assignment as lieutenant of the Community Services Division.

Eric Yeakel has been promoted to the rank of sergeant. His last held assignment was training officer in the Professional Standards Division. In addition to that role, Sergeant Yeakel is a Marksman Team Leader on the department’s Emergency Response Team. He has served the Department since 2001. Sergeant Yeakel’s robust background in teaching subjects such as use of force, de-escalation, report writing, and department policy during his assignment in the Professional Standards Division will serve him well as a first line supervisor. In his new role as patrol sergeant with the 4th Platoon, he will interact with officers on a daily basis assisting officers not only as their direct supervisor but as a teacher guiding them through their investigations and calls for service.