Lehighton Borough Police Department is hiring, and has waived an application fee for entry level testing for police officer positions.

The department posted on its Facebook page that the Lehighton Borough Civil Service Commission will be administering an entry level examination to fill a vacancy for police officer and to update the civil service list.

That came after Lehighton Borough Council agreed at last week’s meeting to waive the $45 application fee for entry level testing for police officer positions for 2025.

Candidates will be required to take a written test, a physical agility test and participate in oral interviews.

Qualifications are as follows:

• Must be 21 years old at time of appointment.

• Must be a high school graduate or possess a GED.

• Must be a U.S. citizen.

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

• Must have proof of completion of ACT 120 Municipal Police Officer Training upon appointment.

• Veterans Preference Points.

Contractual salary ranges from $62,592 to $86,795 (based upon prior experience) through 2026.

Applications can be obtained through the Lehighton Borough Office and must be completed and returned by 4 p.m. Feb. 28.

Written examinations are scheduled for March 9.

Anyone with questions can contact the borough police department at 610-377-4003.

Last month, borough council on a 6-1 vote agreed to have police Chief Troy Abelovsky apply for a grant to assist with the hiring process for a new officer for the police department, or for sign-on bonuses or fees associated with advertising. Councilwoman Becky Worthy was opposed.

That decision was made to attract more candidates to fill a pair of full-time positions within its police department.

Abelovsky said that the police department still has two full-time positions to fill, and noted there were plans to open up the testing process within the coming weeks.

In September, the police department was down three full-time officers.

The chief said at that time that per the Civil Service Commission eligibility list, there were no applications received.

Abelovsky said under the Local Law Enforcement Support Grant Program, eligible law enforcement agencies that do not cover the cost of Act 120 training can request up to $7,000 per new officer to support costs associated with the training. The borough would have to pay for their salary and their medical benefits while they are in the academy and training for six months before them coming on for duty.

Abelovsky said that through their civil service rules, the department only hires people that currently have the Act 120 certification.

Or, it can apply for a $5,000 grant and that can go toward advertising costs for the position or sign on bonuses for the new hires.

Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said she liked the $5,000 signing bonus option.

However, then-Councilman Ryan Saunders, who is now borough mayor, said he preferred the $7,000 option because it would result in candidates they wouldn’t normally get.

Councilman John Kreitz said the only thing is how the borough is going to pay for it, and then questioned the reason why there are no candidates.

The chief pointed out the borough police department isn’t the only one facing a lack of candidates to fill officer positions.

Abelovsky said the borough has 11 full-time officers, including himself, and that it would like to get that number up to 14.