A new full-time police officer has joined the ranks of the Lehighton Borough Police Department.

Officer Terry Buss was sworn in by borough solicitor Jim Nanovic at Monday’s borough council meeting.

The move comes after council on a 5-0 vote last month offered employment to an unnamed candidate as a full-time officer.

Also as part of that motion, council agreed to have the Civil Service Commission look to restart the testing process again to create a new full-time list.

Borough police Chief Troy Abelovsky said last month the salary for an officer in their first year is $80,300, depending on the experience of the candidate.

He said at that time should the person accept the position, the starting salary would be $60,200.

Abelovsky said the hiring of Buss gives the borough 11 full-timers, including himself. The department currently has no part-time officers.

After Monday’s meeting, Abelovsky said he’s hoping the department will add two more full-time officers to take it up to 13.

In February, council on a 6-0 vote at a special meeting agreed to advertise for more officers.

After an executive session, council approved a request from the Police Civil Service Commission to dissolve the current list of applicants, and agreed to advertise for new hires.

Borough Manager Dane DeWire said the borough was looking to fill two full-time officers positions, and possibly a third before the end of the year.