A crime-fighting duo have bounded into the history books as the first all-female police dog and handler team in their force.
Pc Jenny Friend and her German Shepherd, 15-month-old Nala, will scour crime scenes, drug dens and suspect buildings on behalf of Warwickshire Police.
Recruitment officer Seamus Faulkner encouraged other women to consider similar posts to redress the force's gender imbalance.
He said: "We think so few woman have become dog handlers because at the moment only 20 per cent of Warwickshire's officers are female. Women can do the job just as well as men as Pc Friend has shown."
Pc Friend, aged 26, and Nala will work together for a minimum of five years after they compete their training this month.
She said: "I have to show I can manage her safely and efficiently and keep her under control.
"I have wanted to work with dogs since I was six years old. I remember as a child watching a dog demonstration at a country fair and thinking how I'd love to do that.
"I was never allowed a dog until I moved out of home. So at 23 I got my first dog, a border collie called Millie. I've trained her to compete at flyball, a sport where four dogs race another team to catch a tennis ball.
"I love my job and I love working with dogs. Putting the two together is a dream come true."
* If you have a dog which might be suitable to work for the police call the Warwickshire force on 01926 415203.
