NATCHEZ &045; Attribute it to a personality disorder or just unfamiliar surroundings, but the new officer at the Adams County Sheriff’s Office isn’t much on making new friends.

Ben already has the only friend he needs, and he’d rather keep his focus on his job.

The 2-year-old Dutch Shepherd is more than a little intimidating. In the back of Deputy Travis Patten’s squad car, the dark colored dog looks far too big and ferocious to be held in by the fencing on the window.

Outside the car, the intimidation factor only decreases when it become obvious that Ben obeys Patten’s every command &045; all of which are in Dutch.

Ben’s spent his whole life training for his new job. This summer Patten joined him at a Jackson academy for a month of togetherness training.

For the last few weeks Ben has been living in Adams County and learning the lay of the land with Patten.

&uot;He’s my baby now,&uot; Patten said. &uot;He’s a young dog, and I’m a young trainer.&uot;

Adapting to the change in scenery and duties usually takes dogs about three months, Patten was told by trainers, but Ben’s already carrying his weight.

Patten and the canine joined other officers who had chased a suspect through the night. When they found the man sitting near a house, he started to run again, until he saw Ben.

&uot;He gave up when he saw the dog,&uot; Patten said. &uot;He sat down and started crying.&uot;

The mere presence of the dog can affect potentially dangerous situations, Patten said.

&uot;It definitely is an advantage,&uot; he said. &uot;Most people won’t run when you have a dog.&uot;

When he’s not on duty, Ben lives with Patten where he has a 12 by 12 kennel.

Ben has been trained on bite work, tracking and sniffing drugs including cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and marijuana. Patten practices drills with the dog every day, and both are working closely with the two K-9 units at the Natchez Police Department to understand how it’s really done.

The police department has had dogs for many years, but the sheriff’s office has been without a canine for several years.

Sheriff Ronny Brown expressed interest in getting a dog shortly after he took office and put things into motion last spring.

An expensive dog, with expensive training, Ben was paid for by donations from citizens and help from the Board of Supervisors.

&uot;The people of Natchez have been good to us and really supported us,&uot; Patten said. &uot;And we are going to put him to good use too.&uot;

Currently Patten still works his deputy shifts, but plans include taking him from that rotation so he can be on call whenever Ben might be needed.

Patten has been with the ACSO since January 2004. Before that he worked with NPD.