A longtime Summit Hill police officer was promoted to the borough’s chief of police on Monday.

Todd Woodward, who has been a police officer in Summit Hill for 19 years, was hired with a three-year contract.

Woodward succeeds Joseph Fittos Jr., who resigned last September.

William O’Gurek Jr., chairman of the police committee, said there were 30 applicants for the position from various locations throughout the country. He said the list of candidates was narrowed to seven. After interviews were conducted, Woodward emerged as the choice.

O’Gurek said input was received from all the full-time officers of the Summit Hill Police Department, retired state police officers, another area police officer and Mayor Paul McArdle in coming to the decision.

He will start the position at a salary of $72,572.

The motion to hire Woodward passed by a 5-1 vote. O’Gurek, Karen Ruzicka, Joseph Weber, Michael Alabovitz and David Wargo voted yes. Debra Ranck was opposed. Council President Michael Kokinda was absent.