Palmer Township Bolsters Police Force

Palmer Police Chief Larry Palmer was happy Thursday night. And so should residents of Palmer Township.

Three full-time officers were sworn in at the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors Thursday night, new additions to the police force's ranks.

Supervisors Chairman Dave Colver swore in Kenneth McPherson, Brent Lear and Patrick Clinese before their families and residents.

Chief Palmer said the officers were all working part time but were promoted to full time after the department switched recently to 12-hour shifts.

He said the department had 30 full-time officers and seven part-timers, but the new hires will change the force, after the addition of a full-time accreditation officer, to 34 full-timers and three-or-four part-timers.

"It's good," Palmer said. "It should reduce overtime and put more men on the street. With 12-hour shifts, we have more effective scheduling."