Walnutport has fortified its undermanned police department with the hiring of two new full-time officers.

Luis Garcia and Aung Tha were hired by borough council on a unanimous vote Thursday.

Both will start at an annual salary of $53,414 for 2025, according to Sgt. Jason Nothstein, officer-in-charge.

Garcia and Tha were sworn in by borough Mayor Wayne Weidner.

Nothstein then thanked Michael Wentz, Ron Bauer Jr. and George Burke of the Civil Service Commission.

Council President Michael Gaston welcomed the officers into the fold.

“We hope to see you both on the job (shortly),” Gaston said.

After the meeting, Nothstein noted the last time the department had five full-time officers was back in 2001.

“It’s a huge asset any time you can get an addition to your department,” Nothstein said. “Obviously, the more the merrier.”

Nothstein expanded on what their hirings mean to not only the department, but the borough as a whole.

“The priority is to make sure there is 24-hour coverage for the citizens of Walnutport,” he said. “Also bringing in good character people is key, which we believe these people are.”

Nothstein said Garcia finished the police academy, and starts training on Monday, while Tha will start the academy in July.

They will join Nothstein and patrol officers Scott Ledo and Nicholas Hartman.

Last month, borough council on a 6-0 vote agreed to hire two full-time officers from Civil Service pending background checks and certification requirements.

Also last month, council agreed to allow sponsorship of a full-time police officer when one steps forward.

Nothstein said the cost to attend the Allentown Police Academy is $6,000.

After last month’s meeting, Nothstein said that when they tested in September, they only had two applicants. Six people applied in the last testing round, but only two showed up for the test, he said.

Gaston said at that time council agreeing to sponsor a full-time officer doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a long-term deal.

Nothstein noted that the state does reimburse a percentage to municipalities, and added the sponsorship would only go for somebody who is willing to do all the Civil Service requirements, including taking the written test, going through the oral test, and that upon background investigation if they pass, would certify the civil service list and bring that to council for a hire, as only then would the sponsorship kick in.

He added after the meeting that there are no plans of adding anymore than the two full-timers, which will take the department up to five full-timers.

Instead, Nothstein said it’s merely in the event that if one of the full-timers were to leave, they can get the ball rolling to start the process that there’s no question.

He said they have to be hired by borough council in order for that to happen.

Earlier at last month’s meeting, Bauer told council of his preference if council eventually decides to name a police chief to replace former Chief Pete Wayda.

Bauer strongly encouraged borough council to promote from within because he said they have a good group of guys.

Council appointed Nothstein as officer-in-charge effective June 29, 2024, after police Wayda left.

Wayda used accumulated time from June 28 until his retirement last month.