Meet Zira. She can sniff out bad guys, find missing people, locate narcotics and evidence and otherwise help put criminals behind bars.

And now, thanks to thousands of dollars in donations from New Canaan residents and grants from the government, the 3-year-old German Shepherd dog imported from the Czech Republic is the newest member of the New Canaan Police Department. 

Zira, who arrived in Connecticut just two weeks ago after months of training in her native land, caused quite a stir at the second-annual "Dog Days of Summer" event this weekend. Upon her arrival at 3 p.m., dog owners, children and bystanders flocked to the parking lot ouside Village Critter Outfitter to meet her. 

Police Capt. Leon Krolikowski said that the K-9 program was made possible only through $70,000-plus in donations and grants.

"We're here to introduce her as the newest member of our department," Krolikowski said. "She's only one of a few police dogs in the state, so that's pretty exceptional." 

What's more exceptional, said Krolikowski, are her abilities. 

Although New Canaan isn't a crime-ridden town, Krolikowski recalled a string of burglaries less than a year ago where a German Shepherd dog like Zira would have been helpful. 

"A lot of times when we need a dog to search for evidence or search for suspects, we don't have a dog available," he said. "[German Shepherd] is one of the few breeds that has the right balance of characteristics, the drive, breeding. Also, dogs overseas are bred to be working dogs. She's like a pro athelete among dogs. She has the ability to turn on that drive, and do what she needs to do quickly." 

The addition of a dog such as Zira has been a long time coming -- 15 years, in fact. Until now, in situations that called for K-9 support, such as an overnight standoff on Ponus Ridge last month, New Canaan police were forced to rely on law enforcement dogs from other towns.

Police Officer Michael McFadden, who beat out five co-officers to win his position as Zira's handler, will begin an intensive, eight-week training program with Zira and William Scribner, a sergeant for the New Milford Police Department and master trainer with the North American Police Work Dog Association, on Sept. 7. 

Zira will live with McFadden and his family, who already have two other dogs under their roof. 

"I love animals," said McFadden, a former Navy fighter pilot who has been with the New Canaan police for two years. "I think it's a great addition to the town." 

During the demonstration, Scribner held a yellow ball in the palm of his hand as he paced the interior of the tent. "The more drive Zira has for the ball, the more she'll work for it," he said. 

Scribner also clarified the misconception that K-9 dogs are supposed to be huge, snarling creatures. 

"We're gonnna need her to get into small, tight places, so we can't have them too big," said Scribner, who is also an owner of a young German Shepherd dog and Labrador Retreiver. "Today's police dog is a kinder, gentler animal who's very sociable." 

The only potential drawback of German Shepherd dogs, as opposed to other police dog breeds, such as the Bloodhound, is a history of health problems, Scribner said. Fortunately, Zira passed all screenings before her U.S. arrival. 

"The German Shepherd is a good fundamental dog that goes back many, many years," said Scribner. "It's dual-purpose, which means it's capable of doing many things. She has a wonderful nose, a drive and desire to please, and a desire to play." 

That said, McFadden will still have a few challenges as he adapts to his new role as Zira's handler. 

"The most challenging thing for new handlers is to learn to be the leader," Scribner said. "You have to estalish your dominance, and establish your rapport with the dog."