There are new faces in area police departments, with the retirement of longtime chiefs.

Palmerton

In October 2021, Palmerton Borough Council on a unanimous measure hired patrolman Timothy Kromer as police chief, effective Jan. 1 of this year.

Kromer’s salary was set at $83,000.

He succeeded former police Chief Randy Smith, who retired earlier this year after 40 years.

Council went through a lengthy process before it arrived at its decision.

In anticipation of Smith’s retirement, council had worked on this for close to a year and a half.

Council met with police officers several times to get their input, and most recently asked officers what qualities they were looking for in a new chief.

Kromer was hired as a part-time officer in May 2002, and has been a full-time officer since December 2002. His current salary is $67,537.

Smith, whose salary was $77,230, had been police chief since October 2008.

Lehighton

On a 3-2 vote, Lehighton Borough Council in July hired Joseph Sparich as police chief.

Sparich, of Weatherly, was hired at a salary of $95,000,

Before that, Sparich served as lieutenant for the Pennsylvania State Police Hazleton barracks will guide the Lehighton Police Department into the future.

Sparich is an Army veteran, and also served in the Pennsylvania National Guard.

He has 26 years experience as a police officer, beginning as a patrolman with the Hazleton City Police Department, where he became a certified K-9 officer.

Sparich enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in 2000, and worked his way through the ranks to become lieutenant. His coverage area in the state police was Carbon, Monroe, Luzerne and Columbia counties.

His education and training includes Northwestern University Center for public safety, school of police staff and command; PSP leadership development program; FBI-LEEDA Command leadership Institute for Law Enforcement Executives; and PSP civil disorder training.

There were initially 18 candidates who applied for the position.

Biechy’s last day was April 26. Gabe Szozda was officer in charge between Biechy’s last day and Sparich’s arrival.

Biechy became police chief in December 2013. His salary was $88,400.

He began as a part-time officer in the borough in 1988, and became full-time in 1989.

Slatington

Slatington borough council accepted the resignation of Police Chief Dennis Long at its meeting in November.

In an interview, Long said he was resigning for personal reasons. The borough was not able to comment because it is a personnel issue.

Long joined the force in July, coming out of retirement as a lieutenant in the Pennsylvania State Police. He had 29 years of experience with the state police.

A new chief has not been named. The deadline to apply was Nov. 25.

Long replaced David Rachman, who left in January. Rachman had been the police chief since 2006. Before that, he worked in law enforcement in Allentown.

Rachman said his family played a role in his decision.

Lansford

Lansford Police Chief Jack Soberick retired from the department in May after six years in the position.

Soberick had been a full-time officer with the borough since 1996. He worked part-time for the department for 10 years before that.

In 2014, he became the department’s officer in charge. Two years later, the borough added the official title of chief.

During his time as chief, Soberick used the department Facebook page to notify residents about everything from snow removal to standoffs. He said being accessible to residents was important.

The department took some proactive measures to prevent crime such as coffee with a cop and code enforcement patrols.

Some municipalities have discussed regional police as a solution to the problem. Soberick said Lansford should look at that approach.

Soberick was recently hired as a part-time investigator with the Carbon County District Attorney’s Office. He will also continue to serve as the borough’s emergency management coordinator.

Sgt. Shawn Nunemacher is overseeing the department currently.