Rincon City Council members met the police department’s newest member — but didn’t offer any treats.

Snitch, a 5-month-old Belgian malinois, is the city’s newest K9, and handler Officer Michael Giaquinto presented the dog to council members last Monday.

“He’s off to a great start in his training,” said Chief Phillip Scholl.

Snitch will be trained for narcotics interdiction and for apprehension. Senna, the Rincon Police’s original K9, is trained for narcotics and tracking. With Snitch being so young, Scholl estimated the city will get 11 to 12 years of service out of Snitch.

The dog will be ready for apprehension duty in about five months, the chief said.

Scholl also advised council members of adjustments to the department’s shifts. The chief wants to put two more officers on duty Monday through Saturday from 3-7 p.m., the peak hours for service calls. The department will have three officers on duty on Sundays, under Scholl’s plan.

“We will have more officers when there are more calls for service,” the chief said. “It gives us the maximum amount of protection at the same cost, basically. Three to seven p.m. are the magical hours. Those are the hours I need the maximum amount of officers on the street.”

Beginning at 4 p.m., the city will have four officers and a K9 available. The K9 officer will be in a support role. The K9 officer cannot take people to the Effingham County Jail for booking.

“There will always be an additional officer in support,” Scholl said.

The chief also said the new manpower plan could help reduce overtime.

“Right now, our overtime is phenomenal,” he said.

Currently, the department has three officers per shift.

“I think it will broaden our visibility throughout the city,” Scholl said of the reworked shifts.