Lehighton Borough remains active in its quest to name a new police chief.

While no action was taken on that front, borough council discussed the matter during a long executive session on Monday.

After the meeting, Councilman Ryan Saunders said, “We are looking at candidates.”

However, Saunders said a new police chief will not be in place by next month’s council meeting.

Last month, after a nearly 90-minute executive session, council on a 5-0 vote accepted the departure of former police chief Joe Sparich.

Afterward, council immediately pivoted to name Cpl. Bruce Broyles as officer-in-charge.

Sparich submitted his letter of resignation on Aug. 24. His resignation was effective Sept. 7.

He said he decided to leave for personal reasons.

After that meeting, Saunders said Sparich’s resignation “did take us by surprise.”

Saunders said Mayor Clark Ritter appointed Broyles on Sept. 7, the last day of Sparich’s tenure so that Broyles could begin leading the department Sept. 8.

Sparich, of Weatherly, was appointed as police chief by council on a 3-2 measure in July 2022 at a salary of $95,000.

He was chosen from a list of 18 candidates who applied for the position at that time.

Before accepting the position, Sparich had served as lieutenant for the Pennsylvania State Police Hazleton barracks.