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Crime & Safety

Two New Police Officers Sworn Into Duty Today

Eric P. Stauffer and Stacey E. Surdan took an oath before District Judge Jacob Hammond.

Two more South Whitehall police officers -- one of whom is only the second female officer to serve the township in 40 years -- were sworn into service Friday by District Judge Jacob Hammond.

Eric P. Stauffer, 25, and Stacey E. Surdan, 22, will start training at the Allentown Police Academy on Monday.

They join new officers Jason V. Grozier and Andrew K. Gardo, who were sworn in Jan. 7, and bring the force back up to its compliment of 37 officers. 

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Surdan is the second female officer to serve since its police department was established in January 1970. Originally from Hillsboro, N.J., Surdan graduated from DeSales University in December with a degree in criminal justice. She now lives in Easton.

"I don't think I could do anything else," Surdan said, about becoming an officer. "It fits perfectly with my personality. Plus, I get my own locker room."

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"She's just glad she didn't have to get her hair cut like [Eric Stauffer]," Surdan's father, Bob, joked.

Stauffer spent four years in the Air Force Security Forces, serving in England, California and Kuwait. He met his wife Anita while in the military. The couple lives in Kutztown.

"I'm very proud of him," Stauffer's mother, Maureen, said. "His father is in law enforcement, and it's so good to see [Eric] follow in his father's footsteps."

Stauffer's father, Joseph P. Stauffer, is a retired Allentown police officer who currently works as chief detective with the Lehigh County District Attorney's Drug and Homicide Task Force.

Stauffer and Surdan, along with Grozier and Gardo fill postions left vacant by retirements or a person taking another job, officials have said. All four were top candidates on the patrol eligibility list, and they have been certified by the Civil Service Commission.

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