Palmerton’s police force will become the latest in the area to try its hand at 12-hour shifts.

On a 6-0 vote, borough council at a special meeting on Tuesday approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the borough and the Palmerton Police Department.

Councilwoman Holly Hausman-Sell was absent.

Per the agreement, police officers will work 12-hour shifts for a six-month trial period, effective March 5 through the end of the trial period on Sept. 2.

After the meeting, police Chief Tim Kromer explained the primary reason for the change.

“Steady shifts, instead of swing shifts,” Kromer said.

Kromer described what he believes the primary benefits will be for the department once the 12-hour shifts go into effect.

“I think the morale of the department, productivity,” he said.

Palmerton’s police department isn’t the only one in the area to agree to such a concept.

In December, neighboring Lehighton Borough approved an amendment to the FOP contract to allow for full-time officers’ hours to go to 12-hour shifts.

That went into effect for Lehighton Police Department at the start of this year.