South Whitehall commissioners have offered conditional employment to eight individuals for entry level positions as patrol officers.

At the Aug. 15 meeting, Chief Glen Dorney reported some of the officers will be replacements. Others will be additional positions to the force, which currently stands at 37, including himself.

He noted two vacancies exist and three retirements are anticipated.

The chief is expecting to have 42 officers on the staff in 2019.

Dorney said all hiring for police positions is conducted according to civil service regulations of the First Class Township Code.

“Civil service is a systematic process,” the chief explained. “Everyone goes through the same process.”

Applicants are evaluated through a background investigation, polygraph examination, and medical and psychological exams to insure they will be able to perform the duties of patrol officers.

They are screened for physical fitness and receive scores from a written test and oral interview.

Dorney said police officer candidates need at least 60 college credits, although veterans need only 30.

Employment is based on the merits and fitness of the applicants as certified by the Civil Service Commission, with preference accorded to those who have had service in the U.S. military.

Once employment begins, all candidates are subject to a one-year probationary period.

The following individuals were introduced to commissioners and granted conditional employment in the police department:

George Horn is a graduate of Parkland High School and Lehigh Carbon Community College, where he majored in business administration.

Horn graduated from the Allentown Police Academy in December 2017.

He served five years as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps and works as a Lehigh County deputy sheriff.

Jacob Martin graduated from Allentown Central Catholic High School and LCCC. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from West Chester University and has been a Pottstown police officer for the last four years.

He graduated from the Allentown Police Academy in June 2013.

Whitney Peterson graduated from Bangor High School and Moravian College from which she earned a Bachelor’s degree in political science.

She graduated from the Allentown Police Academy in December 2017 and is an officer with the Moravian College Police Department.

Zachary Zavadel, an Emmaus High School graduate, earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Kutztown University and a Master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from West Chester University.

He is an associate director of learning and development at Merck and Co., North Wales.

Jayme Whipple graduated from Nazareth High School and continued her education at the University of Pittsburgh, Northampton Community College and East Stroudsburg University where she majored in math.

She is the manager at Emily’s Ice Cream and is an instructor and trainer at Nazareth Barbell.

She graduated from the Allentown Police Academy in December 2017.

Tyler Bachman graduated from Northampton Area High School and NCC where he earned an Associate degree in criminal justice. He is an investigation corporal at NCC with six years in the security field.

Alexie Torres Santiago graduated from Catasauqua High School and Penn State Lehigh Valley. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from West Chester University in 2018.

He is a security officer with Patriot Security Solutions and as a public safety officer intern at Indian Rocks Property Owners’ Association. He is also a 13 Cannon Crew member in the Army National Guard.

Ryan King graduated from Northwestern Lehigh High School and Slippery Rock University. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Bloomsburg University in 2013.

He graduated from the Philadelphia Police Academy in May 2015.

He has more than two years experience with the Philadelphia Police Department and is an officer with the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department in Pocono Summit.

Board President Christina “Tori” Morgan welcomed the eight new candidates.

“Good luck to all of you,” Morgan said.

“We’re thrilled you’re part of the process.”