Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Tri-State area

HANNIBAL, MO. -- The Hannibal Police Department is adding four more legs to its fleet, but that's only one officer.

Police Chief Lyndell Davis introduced the newest member of the police force to the city council Tuesday, April 20th.

His name is Charger, a two year old German Shepard.

Charger will be replacing HPD's last K-9 who is retiring.

The department has been without that dog for about year since its handler has been in Iraq.

Charger is capable of narcotics detection and suspect tracking and apprehension.

"For us, everything from when the schools do locker searches we need one, as well as they many drug search warrants that we do, traffic stops we do, having that is very vital. We can manage with out one, but we are exponentially greater when we have one. It is a very efficient way to let us combat the illegal drug trade in the community," said Chief Davis.

Charger has already gone through four months of intense training and is nearing the end of that.

Chief Davis says he should be ready to hit the streets sometime in May.