The Toccoa Police Department officially welcomed its newest officer on Monday. This new officer has four legs, a wagging tail, and a sharp nose for tracking and narcotics detection.
K-9 Brew, a 2-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever, was sworn in during a ceremony held June 16 at the Toccoa Municipal Building. Chief Bruce Carlisle administered the oath, formally adding Brew to the ranks as a dual-purpose K-9 officer trained in narcotics detection and tracking.
Brew is trained to detect narcotics including MDMA, heroin, and methamphetamine. He’s also capable of tracking both fleeing suspects and missing persons, making him a valuable addition to the department’s public safety efforts.
Brew will work alongside his handler, Officer Parker Rinehart, who has served as a TPD patrol officer for the past two years. Rinehart recently completed 80 hours of intensive handler training through K-9 Justice, a local police K-9 training program based in Toccoa and owned by former TPD Officer Wesley Ballenger.
Both Brew and Rinehart are certified through K-9 Justice, which trains approximately 60 dogs per year.
During the ceremony Chief Carlisle extended his thanks to City Manager Fredda Wheeler and the Toccoa Board of Commissioners for their role in helping acquire K-9 Brew for the department. Monday marked Brew’s first official day on duty.
