South Whitehall commissioners have granted approval for Chief John Christman to proceed with the purchase of 50 Glock 9 mm handguns.

At a recent commissioners’ meeting, Christman reported the FBI has determined 9 mm is the standard that should be used by law enforcement in the U.S.

At present, the police are using Glock 40-caliber handguns.

The price of each new Glock is $409, but the total cost will come down from more than $20,000 to $6,882 due to trade-in credit for the guns currently in use.

“We’ll stick with Glock because of the trade-in,” the chief said.

“The new ones will fit in the existing holsters.”

Christman also recognized Patrol Officers James Sandrock and Benjamin Porobenski who are leaving the force.

Sandrock, a 1972 graduate of The Swain School, Salisbury, was hired in 1988.

He began his career in law enforcement as a reserve officer for the Allentown Police Department from 1977-88.

He completed 29 years of service with South Whitehall at the time of his retirement.

Porobenski began his employment at South Whitehall in 2003. He is a 1998 graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School and received a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from York College in 2002.

He was assigned to Parkland High School as the school resource officer from 2007-15.

He compiled 14 years of service at the time of his resignation.