Meet Cirrus, New South Whitehall Police Dog

The on the job in South Whitehall is a 20-month-old German Shepherd who hails from Holland, is rich black in color and responds to commands in both Dutch and English.

He also has a lot of energy.

Meet Cirrus, who was certified by the National Police Canine Association on Dec. 16 and started his job with the township two days later.

"He's still a puppy so he's very high strung," said his partner, Officer Kyle Golden, who trains with Cirrus and makes sure he gets his exercise.

Cirrus succeeds  who retired in December after seven years of service with South Whitehall. Yaenkee continues to reside with Golden, who has assumed his care.

On Tuesday, Cirrus bounded from a police vehicle to be introduced to a visitor, demonstrating his vitality.

"He's got a very good temperament, as did Yaenkee," Golden said. 

Cirrus will assist township patrols in searches for drugs and suspects, and on occasion, will likely help other municipalities in need. 

Police dogs are valuable because they see, hear and smell better than people, Golden said. "They can detect a suspect's location or the presence of a narcotic before humans can," he said.

Golden, who has worked with dogs since 1998, has been a township police officer since 2001. He previously had been with the the Wilkes-Barre Township police department in Luzerne County. Golden became 's canine officer in 2004, when the township resumed its canine program after a long hiatus. 

Cirrus trains with the Progressive K-9 Academy in Lehigh Township and must be recertified annually.