Two new officers will help address an ongoing staffing shortage in the Falls Township Police Department.
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On Monday evening, the Falls Township Board of Supervisors approved hiring Brendan Sheehy, of Middletown Township, and Peter Lees Jr., of Trevose, who currently works as a utility technician at U.S. Steel.
The department currently operates with officers in the mid-40s against an authorized capacity of 53 officers, according to Lt. Chris Clark.
Sheehy brings six years of business experience as general manager of Fairless Hills Garden Center. He started as a part-time employee loading mulch and rose through the ranks. He comes from a law enforcement family, with his father Michael Sheehy serving as a Bensalem Township police officer for years.
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Lees brings both educational and military service to the ranks. He holds a degree from Penn State University in art history and worked as a school teacher for five years before transitioning to his current role at the steel company in 2020.
Lees enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard in 2021 and holds the rank of sergeant. He recently returned from a deployment to Guantanamo Bay, according to Clark.
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Lees and Sheehy will start with ridealongs and training before beginning the Temple University Municipal Police Academy in October.
The supervisors also recognized Officer Brandon Hughes, a former Philadelphia Eagles player who was hired last month but was not present at that meeting.
Hughes brings a unique background as a former NFL player who was drafted by the San Diego Chargers and played for three years with the Philadelphia Eagles after earning a scholarship to Oregon State University where he played cornerback.
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“Since his playing career is over, Brandon transitioned into a business owner. He opened a gym called Fuel House in Middletown Township,” Clark said. “And he ended up taking all the passion he had for football, but steering it towards mentoring, towards coaching, towards developing young children.”
Hughes has assisted with the Falls Township Police Youth Academy and he provided coaching and mentoring services before joining the department.
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Clark said the department has room to hire additional officers to reach its full authorized strength of 53 positions.
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