web1_Crime-logo.jpg

Nanticoke man slashed in Wilkes-Barre

Bear Creek Township supervisors grapple with staffing issues

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Since February 2005, Shane Yelland has made hundreds of arrests as a patrol officer and a member of the specialized tactical patrol unit and emergency services unit for the city&#8217;s police force.</p><p>As an officer in tactical patrol, Yelland was permitted to wear plain clothes to blend in with the general public as an undercover officer.</p><p>Now, he&#8217;ll have to wear a tie on most occasions.</p><p>Yelland was promoted to detective during a ceremony in city council chambers on Wednesday.</p><p>Yelland took the oath, administered by Mayor Thomas Leighton, with his hand on a Bible held by his wife, Megan, as family, city elected officials, and members of the police and fire departments looked on.</p><p>Police Chief Robert Hughes said Yelland is certified in a variety of enforcement topics, including drug detection, and has been recognized as an expert in narcotics investigations.</p><p>Yelland was among 10 men hired as city police officers in February 2005 soon after the city enacted the Emergency and Municipal Services tax that was expected to raise $850,000 a year to compensate their salaries and benefits. The 2005 hirings were the first under then recently appointed police chief Gerard Dessoye, who stepped down in 2014 to accept the position as security chief at King&#8217;s College, Wilkes-Barre.</p><p>Yelland&#8217;s younger brother, Shawn, was hired as a city police officer in March.</p><p>Leighton thanked not only Yelland but all police and firefighters for their dedicated service.</p><p>&#8220;I know the job you do every day. I certainly appreciate the time and effort you all put in,&#8221; Leighton said to officers and firefighters in attendance.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_TTL080615wbpromotion_ed_12.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Wilkes-Barre police officer Shane Yelland, left, is congratulated by Mayor Thomas Leighton after being promoted to detective as his wife Megan holds the Bble during a ceremony at City Hall on Wednesday morning.   Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_TTL080615wbpromotion_ed_12.jpg</photo0><caption0>Wilkes-Barre police officer Shane Yelland, left, is congratulated by Mayor Thomas Leighton after being promoted to detective as his wife Megan holds the Bble during a ceremony at City Hall on Wednesday morning.   Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader</caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Ed Lewis at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TLEdLewis.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Wilkes-Barre police officer Shane Yelland promoted to detective