Bluffton council hired two full-time police officers on Monday. With the new officers the department now had eight full-time officers, according to Rick Skilliter, police chief.

The two are Hope Hannah and Abigail Michael. Hannah has six years part-time experience with the Bluffton department. Michel has worked part-time for one year with the department.

They officially join the force on Jan. 5, 2014. Their pay is $13 an hour. Other members of the department are Matt Oglesbee and Ryan Burkholder, both sergeants, Tyler Hostettler, Chad Cupples, Lonny Kent and Skilliter.

The police chief said that the new hirings allow more flexibility in scheduling and means that two officers will be on duty nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week.