Meet 'Flash,' Mercer County's New Bloodhound Officer

By Chelsea Lacey-Mabe

TRENTON, NJ (CBS) -- A new four-legged officer has joined the ranks of the Mercer County Police Department.

Flash, a 15-month-old purebred bloodhound is Sheriff's Detective Michael Restuccia's new K-9 partner. The pair just graduated from Cape May County Sheriff's Office K-9/Bloodhound Academy after a three month training.

Rookie Flash will be a "tracker" for the department, assisting Restuccia and other officers in tracking the scents of missing persons, as well as criminals. Flash and Restuccia will also serve as goodwill ambassadors for the Sheriff's Office, so Mercer County residents will likely see the police dog around town at community events and local schools.

"Our K-9 Unit has grown into a well-trained specialized group," said County Sheriff Jack Kemler, who served in the K-9 Division of the Trenton Police Department earlier in his career. "We are pleased to welcome Flash on our team."

In addition to welcoming Flash into the police family, the dog is getting a warm welcome back at the Restuccia's home by his new siblings -- a retired Sheriff's K-9 named Matilda and Stella, the family dachshund.