More than 135 people signed an online petition to name Lansford police Sgt. Shawn Nunemacher as the borough’s new police chief.

But borough council may seek assistance from the state police chief’s association in selecting a new chief, council President Bruce Markovich said Monday.

The petition, started June 1 by Councilwoman Jennifer Staines on change.org, had 137 signatures in support of Nunemacher, who has been serving as the borough police department’s officer in charge.

The borough has been without a police chief since Jack Soberick retired more than a year ago.

“We believe that hiring Sergeant Nunemacher would provide continuity of leadership while also ensuring that someone who knows our community inside-out will be leading our police department into the future,” the online petition states.

Staines said a resident asked her to start the petition. She also pointed out that Nunemacher has received recommendations from local police chiefs, the county sheriff and district attorney, the borough fire chief and others.

Council is aware of the petition, Markovich said.

“However, hiring a police chief is not a popularity contest, based upon who has the most signatures, nor is it a decision to be made by one member of council as to who should be chief,” he said.

“When we hire someone on the borough crew to cut grass and plow snow, we advertise, accept applications and interview the candidates in order to get the best possible employee,” Markovich said. “I think we should at least put as much effort into hiring a police chief as we do to hire someone to cut grass.”

Council will discuss using the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association to assist the borough in hiring the next chief, he said.

The association offers consulting services, including preparing a job announcement, posting and emailing the job announcement to members, screening resumes, selecting candidates to interview, and preparing oral exams, according to its website.

The association also provides three experienced chiefs to conduct, evaluate and score oral interviews, present results and make recommendations to the municipality and provide a chief to sit in on final interviews with elected officials, according to its website.

The association does not list a cost for the service, but does charge $200 to advertise a position or job opportunity on its website.

Markovich said the use of the association’s services in selection of a police chief will appear on the agenda for Wednesday’s council meeting.

Even with the consulting services, borough council has final say in hiring a police chief, he said.

Markovich reiterated that the police chief should not be selected by the number of signatures on a petition, or decided by one member of council.

Staines said she is in the minority when it comes to support of the police department, and even support of a new chief.

Council previously shot down a move to hire Nunemacher as chief, she said. The vote was 5-2 with Councilman Martin Ditsky and herself as the two “yes” votes, Staines said.

Nunemacher said he can’t comment on the pending chief’s position, but was not involved in the petition.

“The filling of this position lies with council, and I will respect their decision,” he said, adding that he has always worked in best interest of the borough and will continue to do so.