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Emmaus council hires Joseph Sokolovsky as police chief at $142,000 and approves $12,000 compensation for acting deputy chief
Summary
The council voted to hire Joseph Sokolovsky as police chief with a starting salary of $142,000 (subject to background checks and other conditions) and approved an additional $12,000 ongoing duty compensation for Acting Deputy Chief Brian Hampshire, to be paid October 1.
Under general administration, Chair Lavenberg moved to hire Joseph Sokolovsky as the borough's chief of police with a starting salary of $142,000, conditioned on successful completion of a background check by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association and subject to the benefits and conditions in the preliminary offer.
Council discussed whether civil service testing or a non‑competitive exam applied when appointing an outside chief. Solicitor Jason Ulrich and council members agreed to include civil‑service protection language and to make the appointment subject to attorney review. After the amendment and clarification were made, the council approved the motion by voice vote, 7–0.
Separately, council approved ongoing duty compensation for Acting Deputy Chief Brian Hampshire in the amount of $12,000, to be paid on October 1; that motion also passed unanimously. Council thanked Hampshire and others for their work during the hiring transition.
