In a time when part-time police officers are at a premium, Walnutport has done its part to try to stay competitive.

On a 6-0 vote, borough council on Thursday agreed to raise the part-time police officer rate by $2 an hour.

The borough’s part-time officers will see a bump in pay from $20 to $22 an hour, effective the start of 2024.

Before the vote, borough police Chief Pete Wayda said that he factored an increase in when he was going through the police budget.

Wayda noted that neighboring Slatington Borough Council recently bumped its pay to $25 for part-time police officers.

“We can safely go to $22 (an hour),” Wayda said. “They’ve all been here for a while.”

Councilwoman Jennifer Wentz said she had no problem with Wayda’s request, but added her only concern “is if we run low.”

Wayda assured that shouldn’t be a problem.

Mayor Wayne Weidner heaped praise on the department.

“The police department is doing a fantastic job with scheduling,” Weidner said.

After the meeting, Wentz said the department has two part-time officers.

In September, council approved a new four-year contract with its police department.

The contract spans from Jan. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2027, and calls for salary increases in each of the four years for full-time officers.

Full-time officers will get a $2 per hour bump in 2024, and a $1 an hour raise in 2025, 2026, and 2027.

The department has four full-time officers, counting Wayda.

The current contract was set to expire Dec. 31.