It may be the world's most complex professional relationship. When it comes to the partnership between a police officer and a police dog, it's all a matter of training and trust. For Ventura police Officer Jamie Nave, the challenge was even greater because her new partner, Carlos, had already been trained by another officer.

A five-year department veteran, Nave and Carlos became partners a year ago when Carlos' previous handler left the city for another department, and now, she finds herself in the unusual position of being outranked by her dog.

"He's a little more senior than me in time on," she said with a laugh. Carlos is 7 years old and has been in the canine unit for five, and Nave has had to work hard to establish her authority with her new partner.

"He challenges me every day," she said, "but we really don't fight that much. Our relationship is strong enough that he will respond to me. It's a matter of time. It takes about six months to bond with a dog, the trust comes later."

In the meantime, the pair are proving to be effective crime-fighters for Ventura. They recently sniffed out a stash of marijuana, but sometimes their presence alone is enough to reduce the crime rate.

"We work weekend nights and we get out and do foot patrol in areas being hit with property crimes," Nave said. "Typically, just our presence is a deterrent for crime and, when we do go on a crime scene, we deter suspects from fleeing or fighting."

Naturally, Carlos and the other three male German shepherds who comprise Ventura's canine corps are not your typical dogs. All four were donated to the city by the Police Dog Foundation. The dogs are bred for police work and cost about $7,000 apiece. Training and certification double that amount. In Carlos' case, the foundation also paid an additional $6,000 for his retraining with Nave.

Ventura's canine officers are extremely grateful for the contribution the Police Dog Foundation makes, not only to their program, but to the health and safety of the city's citizens. And Nave, for one, is thrilled to get out into the community and talk about the dogs.

"We do a significant amount of community service," she said, "and it's all on a volunteer basis."

Nave likes doing demonstrations with Carlos. It gives her an opportunity to talk about the canine unit, but it also allows her to deliver a message on crime prevention and show residents the skills of their four-legged public servants.

"I get recognized a lot because of the programs I do," she said. "Kids approach me and they're not afraid of Carlos or my uniform." That's an important relationship to build, but the demonstrations have an even deeper meaning for Nave.

"The whole reason I became a canine handler is because I saw a canine demonstration when I was 12. That's the reason I became a police officer. I'm working my dream job. I look forward to going to work every single day."

Nave and Carlos are a crime-fighting team who are working to make Ventura a safer place for all of us, but Nave gives the credit to Carlos.

"I'm amazed at the things Carlos can do for me and city. It's humbling, really."

It's also hours of hard work every week. It's training and trust; and it's the dedication of Ventura's canine officers and their dogs.

— Contact Star columnist Bill Nash at bnash805@aol.com.