Lehighton has taken action to attract more quality police officer candidates for its police department.

Borough council on a 6-0 vote last week agreed to recommend to Civil Service to lower the minimum age from 21 to 20 years old, as well as removing the Act 120 requirement.

Before the vote, police Chief Troy Abelovsky noted that the department has been having difficulty getting quality applicants.

Abelovsky said that while they do have a list that’s current, they’re asking Civil Service to reduce their age down from 21 to 20.

In addition, he said grant funding could be available to sponsor two applicants going into the beginning of 2027.

“I believe that would help generate (more applicants),” Abelovsky said. “If we wait until December, we’ll miss that timeline (January 2027).”

Abelovsky said if grant funding is not awarded in December, he would still request the borough at least sponsor one applicant for January.

He reiterated the purpose of creating an eligibility list is so the department can have a different pool of candidates to choose from.

“I think this is the most viable option moving forward,” Abelovsky said. “What we’ve tried in the last two years hasn’t been very effective.”

Borough Mayor Ryan Saunders said there are other municipalities in the Lehigh Valley who have sponsored candidates to create a larger pool to go to the academy.

Councilwoman Becky Worthy was absent.

At a special meeting last month, borough council agreed to terminate full-time police officer Brent Castelletti.

Council recently established parameters for a previously approved sign-on bonus to attract more qualified police candidates.

Borough council on a 5-1 vote in June agreed to a sign-on bonus that would give $2,500 up front, an additional $2,500 following the probationary period, and the condition that officers would need to stay three years to keep the money.

Before that vote, Councilman Steve Hawk said the goal is to have more of a supply of candidates.

Later during that meeting following an executive session, council on a 6-0 vote adopted a resolution for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency grant to offset new patrolman hiring and sponsor an applicant.

In May, council agreed on a 5-1 vote to increase the sign-on bonus to $5,000.

Abelovsky said the department is handling the call volume — which is above average with increased duties such as e-bike disturbances and displaced people incidents — to the best of its ability.

While they are not over budget, officers have had to cover extra shifts.

Contractual salary in 2026 is $86,795 based upon prior experience. The department is in a contract year and looking to remain highly competitive with surrounding departments.