Lehighton hopes it has come up with an incentive to attract candidates for several open full-time police officer positions.

Borough police Chief Troy Abelovsky told borough council on Monday that the police department is down three full-time officers.

Abelovsky noted that per the Civil Service Commission eligibility list, there were no applications received.

He then alluded to the Local Law Enforcement Support Grant Program established under Act 54 of 2022.

As part of it, eligible law enforcement agencies that do not cover the costs of Act 120 training can request up to $7,000 per new officer to support costs associated with the training, but the borough would have to pay for their salary and their medical benefits while they would be in the academy and training for six months prior to them coming on for duty.

Abelovsky said that through their civil service rules, the department only hires people that currently have the Act 120 certification.

Or, it can apply for a $5,000 grant and that can go toward advertising costs for the position or sign on bonuses for the new hires.

Abelovsky said that through the grant program, “Hopefully, we generate a larger pool.”

He then asked council for direction to apply for the grant.

Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said she liked the $5,000 signing bonus option.

However, Councilman Ryan Saunders said he preferred the $7,000 option because it would result in candidates they wouldn’t normally get.

Councilman John Kreitz said the only thing is how the borough is going to pay for it, and then questioned the reason why there are no candidates.

But, Troy Abelovsky pointed out the police department isn’t the only one facing a lack of candidates to fill officer positions.

It was then stated it would take six months to put an officer through the academy.

Council then instructed Troy Abelovsky to apply for the $5,000 grant.

After the meeting, Troy Abelovsky explained what the department’s intentions are.

“If we’re able to acquire the funding, that will be put toward advertising and bonuses, and we will look to re-advertise for the position early fall,” he said.

Abelovsky said the borough is currently at 11 full-time officers, including himself, and that it would like to get that number up to 14.

At last month’s borough council meeting, Terry Buss was sworn in as the 11th full-time police officer. The department currently has no part-time officers.

Also as part of that motion, council agreed to have the Civil Service Commission look to restart the testing process again to create a new full-time list.

Abelovsky said in July the salary for an officer in their first year is $80,300, depending on the experience of the candidate.

After last month’s meeting, the chief said he was hoping the department would add two more full-time officers to take it up to 13.

Borough Manager Dane DeWire said the borough was looking to hire two full-time officer positions, and possibly a third, before the end of the year.