Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Commission is a seven-member board, but one member hopes he does not have to cast a vote for police chief.

"I prefer to leave that decision up to the elected officials as opposed to me," Chairman James DeCapua said Monday. "I personally prefer it that way. I am taking myself out of the selection committee process."

DeCapua said he will sit in on interviews in case he has to break a tie vote.

Besides DeCapua, the commission is made up of the mayors and one council member from Farrell, Wheatland and West Middlesex.

The commission received eight applications for chief. Four of them are department members.

DeCapua named the entire commission to the selection committee, and said interviews will be set up as soon as possible.

The chief will replace Joseph Timko, who has retired. Sgt. Douglas Long, the department's detective, has been interim chief.

Also Monday, the commission filled out its part-time ranks with five hires: James M. Erme Jr. and Marc A. Adamo of Hermitage, Kimberly A. Rowe of Sharon, Mark A. Gierlach of Greenville and Dale M. McAdams of Fredonia.

The part-timers, who will be paid $9.75 an hour, have to pass psychological and drug testing before they can start work.

The hires bring the part-time force to nine.