BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A former Bethlehem police officer who resigned to appear on Love Island USA, drawing criticism from city officials who said his departure worsened staffing shortages, was dumped from the reality dating show six days into the season.
Sean Reifel, 29, of Easton, was the first contestant eliminated from Season 8 of the Peacock dating series after he was left single during the season’s first recoupling ceremony. On Love Island, contestants, known as Islanders, must remain coupled to stay in the villa; those left single after recouplings can be eliminated, or “dumped.”
The episode turned a local personnel controversy into a reality-TV storyline: A newly hired officer left a short-staffed city police department to take part in a televised search for romance, then left the show before the first week ended…