Warsaw Patrol Officer Phil Reed and his new K-9 partner, Dax, are now patrolling the streets of Warsaw. (Photo provided)

The Warsaw Police Department has introduced the newest member of its force, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois named Dax.

Dax is the new K-9 partner of WPD Patrol Officer Phil Reed. Reed is a four-year veteran of the WPD and, along with Dax, recently finished the intensive dual purpose handler course meaning the duo are now patroling Warsaw’s streets.

Dax was made possible with funds received from an anonymous donor. The WPD has plans to retire K-9 officer Pako at the end of this year. Pako has been with the department for six years and is currently assigned to Cpl. Allen Danko.

According to a statement by WPD, police K-9s are valuable law enforcement tools and have proven effective in the areas of narcotic detection, apprehension of fleeing criminals, tracking, article searches and officer/handler protection.