Meet the newest member of the Columbia Police Department, who happens to have four legs

A new officer has joined the Columbia Police Department.

Meet Officer Rusty, a new addition to the K-9 unit.

Rusty is a chocolate Labrador. He is joining the Organized Crime and Narcotics Unit.

According to the police, Rusty has been with his new handler for several weeks in the Organized Crime and Narcotics Unit. Rusty has been training with his handler for his new position.

The Columbia Police Department started its K-9 Team in 1988 and with the addition of Rusty now has a dozen K-9 teams, composed of one handler and one dog.

Before Rusty, the K-9 Team used Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds.

This story was originally published January 29, 2018 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Meet the newest member of the Columbia Police Department, who happens to have four legs."