Three new Bethel Park police officers sworn in

Three new police officers officially joined the Bethel Park police force Oct. 29, including one person who will serve as the department’s only uniformed female officer.
All three, who were sworn in by District Judge Ron Arnoni in Bethel Park council chambers, are now full-time members of the 35-person force and officially began work Oct. 30, said Timothy O’Connor, Bethel Park’s police chief. They are replacing officers who had retired over the last several years, O’Connor said.
“They are all quality, veteran police officers,” said O’Connor, who presented each new member with their Bethel Park police badge. He also joined his new officers and their families and friends for a reception that followed in council chambers.
Stephen Hozella, 25, was a member of the University of Pittsburgh police department and grew up in Bethel Park. Ryan Weister, 28, also worked for the University of Pittsburgh police. Weister said he is he is looking forward to working in the community.
Rachel Boyer, 28, worked as a uniformed police officer for Wheeling, W.Va., for three years, before joining Bethel Park. Boyer, who will be a uniformed officer, joins Detective Joelle Dixon as the force’s only two female members. She is also the third female ever on the Bethel Park police force.
Also hired was Timothy Sherman who was not present at the Oct. 29 swearing-in ceremony.
Bethel Park received 10 applications for the positions. Council picked the top four performers in the written and oral portions of the civil service exam.