Two new K-9 officers started working the streets last week.

German Shepherd's Max and Rex completed a training course with their handlers during the fall in order to start work this year.

Max and his partner Cpl. Anthony Stachowiak fill the positions held by Ricky and Cpl. Jim Szuba, who were killed last year in a car crash.

"You never replace a person or even a K-9 officer. We just look at it more as we have an opening so we're going to move forward with that. There's no replacing what we had before," said Chief Ken Witkowski.

Stachowiak and Max were paired in August after many community fundraisers. The two then began an intensive 13-week training program with the South Bend Police Department.

"They did an excellent job with us, being very patient with us also because we had a lot to learn and I feel much more prepared than I did then," said Stachowiak, who has never had a K-9 partner before.

Stachowiak and Max first started taking calls together last week and have been easing back into work.

"The first night, not too much. Second night warrant call, had a building search last week, so it's going to be a slow long road, but we're ready, we're prepared to be patient," said Stachowiak.

After a year on patrol, Max and Rex will train for an additional three weeks to learn how to detect narcotics.

"Due to the age of the dog we had to kind of back off a little bit for the drug work, but we're going to really imprint the patrol work for a year at work. Get a lot of good calls, hopefully find some bad guys then go back next year in January to complete training," said Stachowiak.

Rex and his partner Cpl. Chad Thomas will work with the Street Crimes Unit composed of officers from across St. Joseph County.

You can follow updates of Max and Rex at the Mishawaka Police K-9 Foundation Facebook page.