Weissport Borough Council voted to hire a new police officer at Monday’s monthly meeting pending the completion of a credit check.

John Urbanski, who lives in Pottsville, was tentatively voted by council to become the officer in charge for the borough.

“From the date of hire,” Mayor Paulette Watson explained, “there will be a probation period of 90 days, during which he will be the officer in charge. After that 90 days, if all goes well, he will then be named chief of police.’?”

“I am finishing up my last month with my current full-time job,” Urbanski told council. “Come September, I will be working full time in the litigation department of a Pennsylvania law firm. I just graduated from law school. I will get my bar results in mid-October.”

A credit check is a new requirement. Act 57 of 2020 requires school entities that employ school police officers, school resource officers and school security guards to retain information about the law enforcement officers and to provide certain information to other prospective law enforcement employers.

Gregory Mousseau, the borough solicitor, will run the check.

Pending approval, Urbanski said he could begin working within a few days after Aug. 8. He will work 15 to 20 hours per week, evenings and weekends.

Borough council will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at the borough hall at 441 Allen St. to formally hire Urbanski.

Former part-time chief Matthew Williams resigned in March for a job in Beaver Meadows, which is closer to his home.