Tamaqua council members unanimously approved the hiring of a part-time police officer on Tuesday.
Borough council members voted to hire Phoenix Ritchie and add him to the Tamaqua Police force.
He was sworn in by Mayor Nathan Gerace and handed his badge during Tuesday’s Borough Council meeting.
Tamaqua Police Chief Michael tells The Canary that the borough currently has 9 full-time officers and either 9 or 10 part-time officers.
Council Authorizes Purchase of Former Demo Police Vehicle
Borough Council also agreed to spend up to $20,000 to purchase a demo police vehicle – a 2020 or 2021 Ford Explorer – from Miracle Ford, Tamaqua.
Tuesday’s meeting agenda was amended to allow council members to OK this purchase.
Hobbs told council members that this vehicle was only used for demonstration purposes and has about 80,000 miles on it.
Hobbs said this vehicle is fully loaded and fully updated. He said the borough purchased a new police vehicle last year that was also similarly equipped and that cost $61,000.
“It is in pristine condition, all brand new light bars and everything. It’s top of the line upfitted,” Hobbs told council members.
The borough does not have to put this purchase out for bids if the purchase price stays less than $20,000 and since Miracle Ford is a COSTARS vendor.
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