OFFICER SNIFFS OUT CRIME

TEGA CAY-Tega Cay Police Department's newest officer walks on all
fours, his badge dangling from his neck.

His "swearing in" ceremony Monday night included the presentation of
that badge - a miniature of his fellow officers' that reads "Tega Cay
Police K-9."

The 2-year-old Belgian Malinois, named "Rakker," brings the
department's full-time members to nine.

Rakker and his partner, Officer Mac McCarley, began training together
last August. Their sessions started with a week at Baden K-9 Tactical
School in Niagra Falls, Ontario, Canada. There, both dog and handler
learned Rakker's German commands.

"I had to learn him; he had to learn me," McCarley
said.

Now, he'll start working a regular beat.

"He's the smartest dog I've ever seen, that's for sure," said Police
Chief Rick Evelsizer.

Rakker's main jobs will be tracking suspects and sniffing out
narcotics. His long, sensitive snout already has come in handy.

During his training, Rakker tracked a suspected car thief to the city
limits. He found trace amounts of marijuana during a routine car stop.
And he's checked Fort Mill High School lockers for drugs.

Fortunately, McCarley said, he found none. But he'll keep checking
periodically.

"We see him as a deterrent," McCarley said. "He's just another tool
against crime, for the good and bad. But hopefully, there will be more
good."

McCarley hopes Rakker can help educate students about the dangers and
consequences of drugs. He plans to give educational presentations,
using Rakker, around the district.

Rakker comes to Tega Cay as a donation from Mike McConnery, owner and
head trainer of Baden K-9 school, as part of his Dogs Against
Crime/Dogs Against Drugs campaign. All of Tega Cay pays for his food.

Rakker accompanies McCarley during his shift, from a pen in the Jeep
Cherokee's back seat. When the day ends, Rakker heads home with
McCarley. He lives in McCarley's back yard.

"I enjoy him," McCarley said. "And my 3-year-old just loves
him."