Two more police officers will be joining the Nesquehoning force on July 1.

On Wednesday, borough council approved offering full-time employment to Bradley Hess and Samantha Janner. The hirings are contingent upon successful completion of medical and psychological examinations and subject to six month probation.

The officers’ pay will be based on the current police contract.

Councilman Lou Paul, who made the motions as chair of the police and public safety committee, said after the votes that hiring the two additional officers, which will bring the department up to six full-time officers, will drastically reduce the amount of overtime the current staff works.

He also thanked Chief Michael Weaver for keeping the borough afloat with the shifts and what the officers have been doing.

“It’s a great task, all the 12-hour shifts they have been taking to keep our people in this town protected with the amount of officers that we have,” Paul said. “This will help us greatly in the future and will also save us money.”

Council also thanked the Civil Service Commission, which made the candidate list and worked through the process to recommend the two hirings.

Nesquehoning has been in a rebuilding phase with its police department after several retirements and resignations. At one point, the force was down to one officer and was depending on state police to help with coverage.

Over the last year, the borough has hired a new chief, as well as two new full-time officers and several new part-time officers, and at the end of last year, started the process of finding two additional full-time officers.