Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners will decide at its Dec. 8 meeting whether to add another police officer to the department.

Although the 2015 proposed budget doesn't include funding for a new police officer, during the budget hearings, commissioners opted to increase the police roster to 46. Whether the decision on hiring a new officer will be unanimous is uncertain.

Board Vice President Philip Ginder suggested Police Chief Linda Kulp call the Pennsylvania State Police if additional assistance is needed. Some communities in the Lehigh Valley don't have a police department, relying instead on state police.

Ginder argued township residents pay state taxes and therefore should be permitted to rely on the state police

"We're paying state taxes. I see them [state police] all over North Whitehall Township," Ginder said.

Kulp said state police may not be available for minor issues.

"If we don't, what's going to happen down the road," Commissioner Phillips Armstrong said.

With an aging police force, the township may have to replace several officers.

Kulp said two officers are on long-term disability leave. Kulp also said there are officers out on occasional sick leave and on vacation. If a new officer is approved it would be months before the officer would serve on duty because he or she would first have to attend the police academy then be trained at Whitehall.

Commissioner Dennis Hower said considerations should be given to the volume of crimes and varying degree of offenses.

The board showed support for an independent study regarding police strength and department numbers.

"Maybe it is the time to do it," Hower said, proposing such a study.

He said such a study would give the township direction.

"Maybe we're overstaffed, I don't think so," Hower said.

He added such an approach will allow the township to "take a good look where we are, where we need to go."

Kulp said she favors such a study proposed by Hower.

Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers said adding a new officer costs between $90,000 and $100,000, including benefits.

Also, hiring an officer from a smaller department may be problematic.

"Some bring a lot of baggage," Kulp said.