Springfield Police Department adding new K-9 officers

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Police dogs are taking on a new role with Springfield's Police Department.

On Wednesday city officials announced they're adding four new k-9 officers to the department, meaning there will be a dog on all three shifts.

K-9 officers say these dogs are a big tool for finding missing people and searching for suspects.

"A dog can do what it could take several officers, several hours to do in a very short period time,” Timothy Morrow told 22News.

There are now 7 k-9 officers in the city, the department hopes to get two more in the spring.