Police officer turned Love Island US contestant faces hometown backlash

"I never thought I'd see the day in America where reality show participation wins out over being a police officer."

— J. William Reynolds , Politician

"I would be less than candid if I didn't acknowledge my disappointment in losing another police officer."

— Michelle Kott , Executive

"The city and police force could have used his appearance as an opportunity to connect with the community, generate positive publicity for the town."

— Brice Marie , Influencer

"Officer Reifel recently resigned from the Bethlehem Police Department to pursue a unique personal opportunity. We respect his decision and wish him success in this next chapter of his life."

— Michelle Kott , Executive

"At the same time, I would be less than candid if I didn't acknowledge my disappointment in losing another police officer."

— Michelle Kott , Executive

"I wanted to address a couple of videos from my teen years that have recently resurfaced. In those videos, I used a racial slur. There is no excuse for it, and I am deeply sorry."

— Vasana Montgomery , Celebrity

"I am embarrassed and disappointed by my words. I take full responsibility for what I said and understand why it has hurt and upset people."

— Vasana Montgomery , Celebrity

"That growth does not erase my mistake, and I am not asking anyone to excuse it."

— Vasana Montgomery , Celebrity

"To anyone I hurt or disappointed, I am truly sorry."

— Vasana Montgomery , Celebrity

"Instead, they chose a response that will likely reinforce the stereotypes they should be working to change. That said, I couldn’t be more excited for my brother and this amazing opportunity."

— Brice Marie , Influencer

"At this time, I don’t think there’d be a department that would be willing to allow someone to leave for ‘x’ amount of weeks to go on a television show when everyone’s hurting right now."

— Michelle Knott , Executive

"I never thought I’d see the day in America where reality show participation wins out over being a police officer."

— J. William Reynolds , Politician

"I’m proud of my son. It is a brave decision to [put] yourself out there to find love under the microscope of the world."

— Beth Reifel , Other

"I would be less than candid if I didn't acknowledge my disappointment in losing another police officer."

— J. William Reynolds , Politician

"Our police department spent a lot of time training and we paid thousands of taxpayer dollars to send him to the police academy."

— J. William Reynolds , Politician

"We work so incredibly hard to try to recruit the best people we can to be part of the Bethlehem Police Department."

— Michelle Kott , Executive

"I wanted to address a couple of videos from my teen years that have recently resurfaced. In those videos, I used a racial slur. There is no excuse for it, and I am deeply sorry."

— Vasana Montgomery , Celebrity

"That growth does not erase my mistake, and I am not asking anyone to excuse it."

— Vasana Montgomery , Celebrity

"To anyone I hurt or disappointed, I am truly sorry."

— Vasana Montgomery , Celebrity

"Our police department spent a lot of time training and we paid thousands of taxpayer dollars to send him to the police academy. We are disappointed he left as we now have another vacancy in our department that is impossible to fill until next year."

— J. William Reynolds , Politician

"This is Sean’s mom and this makes me very sad because the mayor doesn’t see what a huge missed opportunity this was."

— Beth Reifel Bow , Influencer

"I didn’t think there’d be a department that would be willing to allow someone to leave for ‘x’ amount of weeks to go on a television show."

— Michelle Kott , Executive

"Our police department spent a lot of time training and we paid thousands of taxpayer dollars to send him to the police academy. We are disappointed he left as we now have another vacancy in our department that is impossible to fill until next year."

— J. William Reynolds , Politician

"I love Sean, he’s a good guy, he was a great officer, but I’m disappointed."

— Michelle Kott , Executive

"I love Sean, he’s a good guy, he was a great officer, but I’m disappointed."

— Kott , Other

"Our police department spent a lot of time training and we paid thousands of taxpayer dollars to send him to the police academy."

— J. Williams Reynolds , Politician

"We’re simply asking for compassion. For patience. For basic human decency."

— Cierra Ortega , Celebrity

"Cierra has left the villa due to a personal situation."

— Iain Stirling , Celebrity

"I love Sean, he’s a good guy, he was a great officer, but I’m disappointed."

— Michelle Kott , Executive

"I never thought I’d see the day in America where reality show participation wins out over being a police officer."

— J. William Reynolds , Politician

"I never thought I’d see the day in America where reality show participation wins out over being a police officer."

— J. William Reynolds , Politician

"I would be less than candid if I didn’t acknowledge my disappointment in losing another police officer."

— Michelle Kott , Executive

"I never thought I’d see the day in America where reality show participation wins out over being a police officer."

— J. William Reynolds , Politician

"I’m not a model, not an actor, I’m a police officer actually."

— Sean Reifel , Celebrity