LIBERTY — The township police department has added its second K-9 officer, bringing the department to 23 staff with 21 police officers and two police dogs.

Shelby, a 1-year-old Belgian Malinois born in Europe, was sworn in last week by Trustee Devon Stanley, who is an attorney. Shelby is already working, along with his handler, patrolman Tyler Beck.

Shelby is trained to find drugs, apprehend suspects and track fugitives, as well as locate missing children and adults.

Police Chief Toby Meloro said the department for the first time has two police dogs, with one working the afternoon shift and the other the midnight shift.

Meloro said the police department raised money and used money from a fund that comes from drug seizures to get and train a second canine.

He said a lot of training is involved with the dogs to prepare them to work with police, noting Beck and Shelby spent six weeks training at Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Pa. They also will require additional monthly training, Beck said.

“We probably have more than $15,000 invested in Shelby. It is always good to have a second dog with all the drug investigations out there. The dogs are sworn officers,” Meloro said.

The department’s other dog, Leo, joined the department three years ago and is named after Girard officer Justin Leo, who was shot and killed in the line of duty.

“The dogs serve as an added tool for police and provide an advantage in locating people. They help make the job easier. The dogs are trained to do specific things,” Meloro said.

Both dogs are Belgian Malinois, smaller and said to be faster than a German shepherd.

Police Capt. Ray Buhala said since the department’s founding in 1961 it has had four dogs — still, this is the first that two dogs are part of the staff at the same time.

Meloro said other changes in the department include the addition of two school resource officers in the Liberty Local Schools, replenishing the police fleet and being able to get the police fund from a $400,000 deficit to a positive balance.