Harmar supervisors expanded the township’s police department to nine full-time officers by elevating part-time Officer Erik Brannock to full-time status.
Township officials said Brannock has been employed by the township as a part-timer for about seven months.
Brannock will earn the starting salary of $57,676.
Supervisor Bob Exler said Brannock’s hiring will enable the township to continue to maintain two officers on duty per shift.
“I think this is an excellent move, to hire another full-time officer,” Supervisors Chairman Bob Seibert said. “I think it is money well spent.
“We’re providing, I think, the best service in the Valley.”
He said the township now no longer has any part-time officers in the department. However, that does not mean there won’t be any in the future.
Seibert said hiring part-timers has become challenging for municipalities throughout the region. He said that is due to declining enrollment at police academies and the difficulty municipalities have in offering better wages and at least some benefits to remain competitive in attracting qualified part-timers.
“We are not contemplating (hiring) more part-timers, but we have a standing motion that allows us to do so,” Seibert said.
He said if good part-timers express an interest in working for the township, the supervisors could consider hiring some.
