SLIPPERY ROCK — Borough council members discussed adding more officers to Slippery Rock's police force at Tuesday's meeting.

Chief Terry Fedokovitz said he would need more officers to provide better coverage of the borough. The Slippery Rock Police Department currently has four full-time officers.

Council member Royce Lorentz said he favored hiring part-time officers. He said he would like to hire at least one part-time officer as soon as possible.

“In order to enhance the scheduled coverage,” Lorentz said. “I think we should go ahead and get a part-timer as early as we can.”

Lorentz was joined by all fellow council members regarding the need to hire more officers, but the number of officers and basis for hiring was debated, along with input from Slippery Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo.

Longo, who works closely with the police department, said Fedokovitz has done his best with the manpower that he has, but he hears requests every day for more coverage.

“The biggest moan and complaint from council members and residents alike has been about police coverage,” Longo said. “I don't think one part-timer is enough as it is.”

Longo said he would like to see three part-time officers hired as soon as possible, so all three could acclimate to the town and be available quicker, especially with Slippery Rock University students arriving later this month.

“On the books, the permanent residents don't make us look like a pretty big town,” Longo said. “I think the issue is much more pressing than considering only one part-time officer at this time.”

Lorentz said he would hesitate to add three new officers immediately until they evaluate how many hours of service need to be covered.

“I would rather see us get the ball started,” Lorentz said.

Council members concluded their discussion by asking Fedokovitz to submit an analysis of needs both in man hours and financially.

Fedokovitz said he would begin work on the document immediately, and he appreciated the borough's discussion of the shortage.

“There's a lot of variables (involved in hiring an officer,) but if we could vote on at least one part-timer as soon as possible, I'd be appreciative,” he said.