There’s a new K-9 officer in St. Joseph County.

The Indiana State Police’s Bremen Post welcomed newly-minted K-9 officer “Nala” to the force this past Friday.

Nala is a Belgian Malinois that is trained to detect drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. She spent twelve weeks with her handler, Trooper Kyle Glaze, learning skills such as tracking, building searches, obedience, handler protection, and drug detecting.

Nala will patrol St. Joseph County with her handler, who also lives in the county.

She’s the first female K-9 officer in Indiana State Police history.