Bedics Recognized for 24 Years of Service

Last week, during its regular meeting, City Council paid tribute to retiring Police Commissioner Stuart Bedics for his 24 years of service in the city police department.

City Council President Robert Donchez read a proclamation, which gave some of the highlights of his career, including promotions to detective sergeant in 2001, lieutenant in 2004, deputy commissioner in 2006 and commissioner in 2010.

Bedics thanked City Councilman Gordon Mowrer, who was mayor of Bethlehem when he was first hired as an officer in 1987.

“He helped me fulfill a boyhood dream mine, a boyhood wish to become a Bethlehem police officer,” Bedics said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would become commissioner.”

Bedics also thanked all the men and women in the department that helped make him successful at his job. “Without them, I would have just been another police officer,” he said.

is leaving to become the chief of police at DeSales University in Upper Saucon Township. Jason Schiffer, who had been deputy commissioner, was promoted to commissioner. has been promoted to deputy commissioner from lieutenant.