The South Whitehall Police Department will be purchasing a 2017 Ford Interceptor sedan from Kovatch Ford, Nesquehoning at a cost of $35,572.

The price includes not only the car itself with a base price of $25,889 but also upfitting for police use and South Whitehall graphics.

Police Chief John Christman, during the Feb. 15 South Whitehall commissioners’ meeting, noted the department has purchased cars from Kovatch for the last six years and is happy with the company’s services.

In addition, South Whitehall mechanics have a satisfactory relationship with the Kovatch repair crew, Christman said.

He reported the intention to hire five additional officers replacing two who are retiring plus three more, bringing the total force to 38.

Commissioners approved purchase of a digital automatic license plate reader at a cost of $14,025.

The device enables an officer to scan thousands of license plates during an eight-hour patrol shift.

Through the scanned information, police can find unregistered vehicles, uninsured vehicles and wanted people.

Christman said the officer can go after the driver and stop the car to follow through on the material received from the scanned plate.

Data collected by the scanners will be shared with other police departments through the Lehigh County Regional Information and Intelligence Center.

“All records will go to RIIC for investigation to help solve crimes,” said Christman.

Christman also received permission to purchase five new mobile data terminals by Patrol PC at a cost of $29,104.

The department has 15 of the devices and will replace its five oldest models.

Christman reported the Patrol PC MDTs, built in the USA, are rugged and reliable and have performed consistently better than other brands.

Christman told commissioners he is moving forward with the purchase of four ballistics vests and helmets for each fire department and 36 for the police force.

The cost for one vest and helmet is $1,200.

Christman noted the ballistics vest will stop a round from a rifle.

He also reported a large-scale emergency drill is being planned at Dorney Park in May.