BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Bethlehem Police Department, the eighth largest statewide, currently operates with 16 vacancies and 11 personnel unavailable for work among the ranks, according to Chief Michelle Kott.
Authorized to employ 154 officers, the city department has 138 on the roster, but only 127 can report for work, Kott told City Council during a budget hearing on Nov. 20.
The 11 who are unavailable include four on long-term sick leave, three serving in the military, two on “light duty” and two now attending the Allentown Police Academy…