A K9 named Nash has joined the Bristol Tennessee Police Department (BTPD).

Nash is Sgt. Joe Newman's newest partner. Nash is a a German Shorthair Pointer trained in narcotics detection.

Nash began his police career in Indiana where he was trained to detect marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and meth in 2020 before his first birthday. When his handler, Detective Corporal Adam Surface, was promoted and transferred from the Seymour Police Department K9 Unit, Surface began looking for a new home for Nash.

At the time, BTPD had announced the retirement of K9 Scout, who was Newman's previous partner for nearly 8 years. Surface donated Nash to the BTPD at no cast, a major savings to local taxpayers, officials said.

“K9s have unique skills that make them valuable members of any law enforcement agency, but there is a significant financial cost to acquiring a dog that is well suited for police work and a significant time commitment to complete the required training,” said BTPD Chief Matt Austin. “We’re extremely fortunate that those within the Seymour Police Department made that initial investment and then allowed us to welcome Nash to our department. He and Sgt. Newman are still getting to know each other, but they’ve already demonstrated an amazing ability to work together that will serve this department and our community for many years.”