SLIPPERY ROCK — The borough police department is back at full force after having added two full-time positions.

Borough council voted unanimously on Tuesday to offer patrolman Joshua Drake a full-time position.

“This young gentleman started out with us recently, and he has been a work horse,” council member Gene Allison said.

The borough police have been short-handed two full-time positions for the past few months. One officer retired and the other left to become an educator, according to Slippery Rock Chief Terry Fedokovitz.

Fedokovitz said smaller towns can operate with two full-time officers, but with Slippery Rock's college population this is not enough. He said he is excited to be back to his department being fully staffed.

“It helps expand the schedule a little,” he said.

Last week was also the first week for Patrolman Nick Graham, who started as a full-time officer. Graham brings experience from working in the sheriff's office, as a part-time officer at the Saxonburg Police Department and as a Marine Corps veteran.

Drake has served over the past few months as a part-time officer and has impressed with his work ethic.

“They both seem level-headed. They both are workaholics. They both are wanting to learn,” Fedokovitz said.

Mayor Jondavid Longo said Graham and Drake were excellent additions to the department.

“They're doing great,” he said. “I have no doubt in their abilities.”

Longo said the plan is to refill the part-time position Drake left, and he hopes to also have a second part-time officer. He said in having two more part-time officers, he would have expanded the department from the time he started as mayor.

Council member Russell Karl said the additions to the department will help to keep the community safe.

“It'll give us better coverage as well as security that we have someone on duty locally,” Karl said.