Lehighton has beefed up its police force in a big way with the addition of three new full-time officers.

On a 4-0 vote at a special meeting on Thursday, borough council hired Jason Pryce, Alex Hummel and Ivan Centeno.

All three were hired at the entry-level full-time officer starting salary of $55,645.

After four years of service, their salary would be $74,193.

Both Pryce and Hummel had recently been hired as part-time officers with the borough police department.

Council members Joe Flickinger, Darryl Arner, and Autumn Abelovsky were absent from the meeting.

In July, council on a 3-2 vote hired Joseph Sparich as police chief. Council President Grant Hunsicker, and council members Lisa Perry and Donnie Rehrig were in favor. Ryan Saunders and Arner were opposed.

Abelovsky abstained from the vote because her husband, Troy, was one of the candidates who applied for the position. Flickinger was absent.

Sparich, of Weatherly, was hired at a salary of $95,000.

He has most recently served as lieutenant for the Pennsylvania State Police Hazleton barracks.

Council at a special meeting in April approved the memorandum of understanding with former police Chief Brian Biechy.

Biechy’s last day was April 26. He was originally set to retire Aug. 10.

Also at April’s special meeting after an executive session, council appointed Gabe Szozda as officer in charge until a new police chief was hired.

Szozda is officer in charge until Sparich begins employment.

In May, council on a 5-0 vote following an executive session, accepted the resignation of police Sgt. Scott Prebosnyak.

Prebosnyak resigned voluntarily because he agreed to take a job elsewhere in law enforcement.

In other business, council on Thursday:

• Approved the Civil Service list.

• Hired Anne Scott as a crossing guard at the rate of $10 an hour, pending the pre-employment process.