Palmerton has decided to shift gears in its search for a new police chief with the head of its police department slated to retire at the start of next year.

Borough council unanimously agreed on Thursday to authorize borough Manager Donna McGarry to advertise for a new police chief, but not through the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association for the hiring process.

“The personnel committee has chosen to do in-house,” McGarry said.

Before that vote, council rescinded the motion made last month to authorize McGarry to initiate proceedings to find a replacement police chief utilizing the services of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association.

There would have been a $5,000 cost had council opted to go through the PA Chiefs of Police Association.

After the meeting, McGarry said council plans to take its time with the search.

“They want to make sure that they don’t rush the process, because it’s an important position to fill,” she said.

Current police Chief Randy Smith will retire in January 2022.

Smith has been police chief since October 2008. He started as a full-time officer in the borough in March 1984.