Butler City Council recently voted to hire three new officers and promote two current officers in the Bureau of Police, leaving just one full-time position open.

On Thursday, June 26, city council met for a regular meeting, where members unanimously approved a number of motions regarding the department. Mayor Bob Dandoy clarified that these new hires are to fill empty positions, not creating new ones.

According to the city’s website, staffing for the department includes an administrative captain, a detective sergeant and 20 uniformed officers.

Tiffany D. Fox and Ryan K. Johns will join the force as patrol officers. A third patrol officer, Bryce Foreback, is returning to the department after he resigned in March.

“Officer Foreback had left the city force, and now wants to come back. We welcome him,” Mayor Bob Dandoy said before the vote.

Two current members of the force also received promotions. Patrol officer Nathan Shulik was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, while Lt. Brian Grooms was promoted to the rank of captain.

“Hopefully, we can keep these folks around for a while,” Dandoy said. “I appreciate their service, the work they do on the force and congratulations to the officers on their promotions.”

Thursday’s promotions come just one month after Capt. Benjamin Spangler retired from the department after 27 years of service. The department has seen similar promotions when other resignations left a spot open.

City council also unanimously voted Thursday to advertise the sale of a used 2014 Ford Explorer. The vehicle is a K-9 unit and is no longer needed by the department, police Chief Robert O’Neill said.