Liberty Township is without a police chief until mid-January after Chief Robert Then took over at the Eastern Adams Regional Police Department last week.

Then, who had been with the department since 2007, took the reins at Eastern Adams on Nov. 23, leaving Liberty Township police with a handful of part-time officers until the new chief steps in.

Wednesday, Liberty Township supervisors hired Gettysburg Police Office Matt Harvey to take over Then's vacant role. He will become chief on Jan. 19.

"We're very happy to have him come on the job here," said Liberty Township Board of Supervisors Chairman Peter Foscato.

Foscato called Harvey a "very well respected officer" with a "very good record."

And in the meantime, Foscato said he's not worried about the vacancy.

While the chief position is the only full-time officer, Foscato said Then is working part-time with Liberty until February.

Over at Eastern Adams Regional, administrative assistant Susan Norton said things are still in transition.

Then had worked with Eastern Adams as a part-time officer for several years, which Norton said helped him to learn the area and the basics of the department.

The Eastern Adams Regional Police Commission advertised for the open chief position and Norton said they received approximately 40 applicants.

Gettysburg Police Chief Joe Dougherty did not return calls for comment on Harvey's pending departure.

With Harvey gone, the

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Gettysburg department will be down three officers.

Eastern Adams Regional covers Abbottstown, Berwick and Oxford townships and New Oxford Borough.

Liberty Township Police cover all of the township and spend about 20 hours a week covering Freedom Township as well.

Evening Sun reporter Erin James contributed to this report.

Contact Katharine Harmon at kharmon@eveningsun.com.