Diligent records must be kept to show, if necessary, for court cases.

Duncan has the responsibility of Rizzo 24 hours, seven days a week.  When not on duty Rizzo has a kennel at Duncan’s home, in Holly Springs. At least one day a week they are training together and exercising every day. Duncan’s three children, ages 13, 11 and 9 “understand there’s a fine line between being a pet and a police dog,” Duncan said.

Growing up in Holly Springs, Duncan has been involved with his community via the volunteer fire department for more than 10 years. He now serves as a lieutenant.  While attending Holly Springs’ Motlow Creek Elementary School, he remembers when the Spartanburg Sheriffs Office had a program called D.A.R.E, (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). A police spokesman would periodically come to school to talk with the students. This program had a profound effect on Duncan, leading him to seek work in law enforcement.

“In my career I want to keep drugs off the street and being a K-9 handler is another tool to get there,” he said.

He said he would also like to see the D.A.R.E program in schools again.

Since June, Rizzo has successfully done her job. She’s a valuable and important part to Landrum’s law enforcement, Duncan said.

“When fully trained she will be the only tracking canine in Spartanburg County town units,” Duncan said.