Harrisburg will soon have three new officers on patrol.
Mayor Wanda Williams on Thursday swore in three police officers to the Harrisburg Police Bureau and promoted another during a ceremony at city hall.
“You are stepping forward at a time when the responsibilities of law enforcement are more complex than ever,” Williams said. “Our residents expect professionalism, compassion, accountability and a willingness to build trust with every neighborhood in this city. I believe you are ready for that challenge, and I am proud of each of you for choosing a path that places community at the center of your work.”
New officers include Cedric Bowling, a Harrisburg native and former city park ranger, William Fellenbaum, a Lancaster County native, and Melvin Torres, a McCaskey High School graduate who is bilingual.
The officers will enter field training with the police bureau after completing HACC’s police academy.
Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams and Police Commissioner Tom Carter swore in newly promoted Capt. Kyle Gautsch.
Additionally, officer Kyle Gautsch was promoted from lieutenant to captain. Gautsch has worked in the bureau for over 20 years and oversees the Criminal Investigations Division.
Bureau officials also recognized the retirement of Capt. Terry Wealand, who served from 1998 until Jan. 2. Sgt. Tyron Meik, who began in Harrisburg in 1999, Cpl. Derek Fenton, who began in 2002, Forensic Investigator Karen Lyda, who began in 2001, and officer John Doll, who began in 2002, will also retire this month.
At the ceremony, Police Commissioner Tom Carter welcomed the new officers to the bureau.
“Harrisburg police is a family,” he said. “We are a family because I believe, and I know, we have the best officers.”
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