Following the resignation of two high-ranking officers, the Elizabethton Police Department will soon begin the process to promote officers and hire some new recruits.

On Friday, Elizabethton Police Chief Jason Shaw confirmed that his department will be promoting officers to fill the roles of Major, which is second-in-command to the Chief, and Captain of the Criminal Investigations Division.

The department’s previous Major, Shannon Peters, resigned from the department to accept another job opportunity. Shaw said Peters’ last day with the department was on Sept. 12.

On Monday, Shaw said Capt. Joy Shoun, who oversees the Criminal Investigations Division, turned in her two-weeks notice.  Her last day will be on Sept. 30, Shaw said, adding Shoun had also accepted another job opportunity.

Shaw commended the work of both Peters and Shoun at the department over the years.

“Both of them have been supportive of me, especially over this last year with me as I adjusted to my new job,” Shaw said. “I wish them the best of luck. I hate to see them go.”

With the departure of Peters and Shoun, several opportunities now exist for officers within the department o achieve promotions, Shaw said.

The department will also be looking to hire some new officers to fill the spots of those officers moving up the ranks, he added.

“We have a promotional process we follow,” Shaw explained.

The current captains within the department can seek the promotion to the post of Major. With one of the captains receiving the promotion to major, that will create another vacancy for a captain in addition to Shoun’s position.

Those holding the rank of sergeant can apply for the two captains positions. Corporals within the department can qualify to apply for the open sergeants positions created by two sergeants moving up to become captains.

Shaw said the department recently completed an application process, so he has a roster of applicants to go through to fill vacancies in the department. No time frame has been set for the completion of the promotions or hiring processes, according to Shaw.