Nesquehoning’s police department continues to grow.

Borough council voted Wednesday to hire Frederick Lahovski Jr. as a full-time officer, effective Sept. 1.

He will be paid $29.50 per hour.

Councilman Louis Paul said that Lahovski “brings a lot of experience to the police department” and will “be an asset to our police department and our community.”

Lahovski, who was present at the meeting, was happy for the new assignment.

A U.S. Marine veteran, Lahovski said he has 28 years of law enforcement experience.

“There pretty much isn’t anything I haven’t done,” he said. “I’m very community oriented. I feel like I still have something to offer.”

This brings the department up to four full-time police officers, including the new Chief Michael Weaver.

In addition to Lahovski, council also hired Daniel Long as a part-time officer for the borough.

Mayor Tom Kattner, who has said this is a rebuilding period for the department, was happy to see the direction the force was taking. The department went through an extreme turnover in the last year, with officers leaving and the long-time chief retiring.

Paul thanked council for taking on the “long, hard battle in bringing the police department back up to snuff.”

I think we have a good police department. We have a good chief and I think they are community oriented,” Paul said. “I think we are headed in the right direction.”

Kattner also thanked the recent community support of the police department through donations to help them get the equipment they need to best serve the people.