Three Bethlehem Township police officers were promoted at the Feb. 20 Bethlehem Township Commissioners’ meeting.

Shaun Powell, a 17-year member of the department, was promoted from sergeant to captain. “I’m proud to take on this new leadership role within the agency,” Powell said.

As captain, he will be assisting Chief Greg Gottschall by supervising the patrol division and investigations division in daily operations.

Troy Abelovsky was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He served for five years in two smaller departments in Lehigh County before joining Bethlehem Township police in 2000. Abelsovksy said his new duties have not yet been confirmed. “The chief is the one that’s going to decide. Sgt. Powell is moving to captain. So that leaves an opening in Investigations, heading-up the Investigations Unit so I could be there, or be a road sergeant on day shift.

“I look forward to serving the community for another five-plus more years.”

Andrew Kanaskie has been with Bethlehem Township police for seven years and was promoted to corporal.

“It’s an honor. It’s all that I can really say, it’s an honor,” said Kanaskie. He will be a shift supervisor.

“I became a police officer to help people,” Kanaskie said. “I thought it was interesting. You see something new every day and you’re working outside, not stuck in an office, so I like that aspect of it.”