Officer Mike McFadden stands with Zira, the New Canaan Police Department's newest K-9 officer.

Photo Credit: Melvin Mason

Zira, the New Canaan Police Department's newest police dog.

Photo Credit: Melvin Mason

Zira lies down at the feet of her partner, Officer Mike McFadden.

Photo Credit: Melvin Mason

Even without a gun, the New Canaan Police Department’s newest member will be pretty intimidating.

The NCPD introduced Zira, a 3 ½ year old German Shepherd, as its latest “hire.” She’ll team with Officer Mike McFadden to chase down the bad guys and keep the streets safe.

Zira, the department’s second K-9 recruit, comes to New Canaan from the Czech Republic. She’s the fourth female dog on the job statewide with a local police force. The others work in Monroe, West Hartford and Westport.

McFadden said Zira is focused on police work and not easily distracted like some male dogs he’s seen. “She’s not sedentary like house dogs,” he said. “She wants to get out and do things.”

Tracking is Zira’s expertise, which will help officers locate missing persons or suspects on the run. She also detects narcotics, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.  Although Zira will help keep officers safe, she won’t be sent into anything life-threatening. “She’s almost like another officer, McFadden said. “We would never send her into a situation where you’d deem her to be expendable.”

McFadden, who has served on the town police for five years, trained for two months to be Zira’s partner. “This is a huge, huge personal commitment for the officer,” Chief Ed Nadriczny said.

While Zira will help bust the crooks and rescue missing people, her biggest role will be in developing good public relations for the department – for example, by visiting schools. As proof of her status, Nadriczny said, she’ll soon be the star of her own, official swearing-in ceremony.