Newberry Township police gain dog trained in tracking people, finding drugs

The Newberry Twp. Police Department’s new K-9 officer, Tazer, has reported for duty. In fact, within a week of beginning his new job, Tazer had his first successful drug find.

“Another police agency contacted us to see if we could search a vehicle for them. Sure enough [Tazer] hit on several different locations on the vehicle, one being the passenger side door. When the other officer searched the car he found a … bag of marijuana,” officer Christopher Martinez said.

Tracking drugs and working as a general patrol dog have kept the 14-month-old German shepherd, who arrived from the Czech Republic for training in the fall, busy since he started work on Nov. 22.

Tazer also is trained to track individuals and suspects, among other skills.

According to officer Martinez, his 24-year-old handler, although Tazer has been trained to be an effective officer, he is a sociable dog and friendly with adults and children, so the department also plans to include him in school visits and in public events, such as National Night Out.

Martinez and Tazer have become great friends and partners since meeting in September.

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