Yeadon swears in three officers; police say patrols will increase after field training

Mayor Rowan Hopkins swore in three new police officers at the Yeadon mayor’s forum, introducing Donald Beasley, Brendan McElwee and Jason Bendick and asking each to repeat the oath to support the U.S. and Pennsylvania constitutions and to discharge duties as police officers without regard to age, race, creed, disability or sexual orientation.

Police leadership said the hires bring experienced personnel to Yeadon and will allow the department to increase street presence after the officers complete field training. A police official discussed crime trends and singled out vehicle thefts as a particular concern: "the thing that I worry about most ... is the car thefts," the official said, adding that the department intends to "hone in" on quality‑of‑life issues once the new officers are fully on duty.

Officials described the three officers as experienced: Beasley was introduced with 12 years of experience and as a firearms instructor and member of a regional emergency response team; McElwee as having six years of experience; and Bendick as having eight years and serving as a field training officer and member of a regional emergency response team. The mayor and councilors in attendance welcomed the hires and residents praised police and public works responses to recent storm damage.

The department said it plans to return to four-person squads; at present, it operates three-person squads, and staffing shortfalls can leave only two officers on some shifts. Once the new officers complete field training, officials said, there will be four cars on the street each shift.

There were no votes or formal council actions recorded in connection with the swearing-in at the forum; the oath and ceremonial appointments were performed publicly by the mayor.