On Assignment: Rocky – 

MBPD’s Latest Recruit-in-Training

Rocky is the latest recruit at the Morro Bay Police Department. Photo by Morro Bay Police Chief Amy Watkins

Morro Bay Police Chief Amy Watkins is all smiles when it comes to discussing the progress of her department’s latest recruit. Like a proud parent she launched our interview before I could ask my first question.

 “Rocky was born September 11, 2024.” Rocky is a Golden Doodle/Poodle mix that is training to be MBPD’s Facility/Therapy Dog. “He spent his first six weeks with Claire, his Tired Tails trainer. She taught him basic puppy protocol, socialization and crate training before we started training here on January 1. “He loves this place already.” And it was obvious the MBPD officers and staff already love him. 

Chief Watkins noted that taking on the responsibility of a full-time furry recruit has been a department goal for some time. Planning and research has been extensive. The purposeful need and funding were never the issue. “Timing and circumstances were never quite right. We needed the right person in the department to be the handler and with our officers mainly doing shift work or not living in Morro Bay it never seemed practical.”

Then Becky Presley showed up gung-ho to experience the MBPD Police Volunteer Academy. During her training Chief Watkins had an “aha moment.” It made more sense to have a trained volunteer be their comfort dog’s handler than one of the officers. “Rocky is a work-dog. That means he’s on duty taking care of a lost child, a distraught family after a fire or home invasion, or the theft or accident of a favorite car. A handler must handle the incident and direct Rocky where to go and who to comfort. On the other hand, an officer must take care of business even if at a community event. Typically, when the public engages an officer, the individual is usually looking for answers about their situation. An officer wouldn’t have the bandwidth to also handle every move of the department’s dog.”

So Chief Watkins asked Presley if she might be interested. The answer was an instant “yes.” Chief Watkins and MBPD’s Wellness Coordinator Sgt. Gene Stuart finally had a plan that worked and could move forward. Rocky lives in Morro Bay with Presley, who is on-call for incidents, events, and requests by the department. When she isn’t available, Sgt. Stuart is Rocky’s second handler.  

Since there was no budget impact, Chief Watkins simply needed the approval of City Manager, Yvonne Kimball, and Risk Manager, Rachael Henricks. MBPD had already received two state grants for the needed funding: a $15,000 Officer Wellness and Mental Health grant in 2024 from California Correction (BSCC) and their annual COPS grant. The wellness grant needed to be implemented over two years. Funds have provided a massage chair for the department office and are currently equipping a work-out gym across the street from the department. Rocky’s purchase and training will complete the intent of the BBCC grant and the annual COPS grant will cover ongoing expenses, such as Pet Insurance, grooming, food, and determined supplies. 

Chief Watkins described Rocky’s job description. “First and foremost, Rocky will be available for our officers. He will not be trained for patrol apprehension or detection, but for comfort and stress relief.” 

According to the research Chief Watkins has gathered, having a dog around can lower one’s heart rate, blood pressure and help alleviate PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.) “By serving as a distraction or relief from symptoms of stress, dogs can help individuals cope with depression and other mental health conditions.” 

Other American police departments have found great success with therapy dogs. The NYPD “…finds that the dogs immediately relieve officers’ stress.” Roanoke, VA Police Department works with a non-profit chaplaincy program to assist first responders. Miami Beach Police assigns victim advocates as dog handlers so when a child needs to be interviewed as a victim or a witness, the dog can meet and comfort children before and after forensic interviews. 

In the proposal, Chief Watkins developed when seeking approval from Kimball and Henricks, she wrote, “These dogs can reduce stress, provide comfort and affection to first responders and associated agency employees without creating a negative impact to the work environment or disruption to agency operations for the health, morale and welfare of department personnel.”

Besides bringing some joy to department personnel, Rocky’s other assignment is to bring smiles and comfort to members of the community whether in traumatic situations or enjoying activities like Coffee with a Cop, the Morro Bay Car Show and a variety of community events and community meetings. “Part of his training while he is still a puppy is to get him out among our residents and visitors,” said Chief Watkins. “I took him to a Seniors Board Meeting at the Community Center and he greeted everyone with his happy dance then sat under my chair for the hour meeting. They were amazed he is only six months old.” 

On May 18, Rocky has a special training with members of Morro Bay Girl Scout Troop #45105. “We will meet at a park and our trainer will train the girls to put Rocky through his training situations. The girls will also earn a badge for their efforts.” 

They have also reached out to Del Mar Elementary School. “I don’t want to interrupt their classroom time, but our goal is for Rocky to get comfortable with children in all kinds of situations,” Chief Watkins said.

Rocky’s training goals are to complete the steps to receive an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen certificate and be certified for Deep Pressure Therapy. MBPD experiences domestic disturbances and other potential acts of violence, house fires, kidnappings and abandonment, and the list goes on, that traumatize both adults and children. Training for Rocky includes being able to calm individuals in various incidents. Chief Watkins said, “Our SLO County’s DA’s office has a therapy dog. I’m aware of an incident while debriefing the family in a domestic violence situation;The dog sensed the wife’s trauma. She allowed him in her lap and after 45-minutes she began to open-up and talk about the situation. Just like our officers, however, the dog was very tired and needed to destress after that incident.”

As of our publication, Rocky is still a puppy in training, but when Chief Watkins puts on his training vest, he already knows he needs to pay attention, “We needed cute and fluffy and smelling good.” Not too big so he couldn’t jump in a child’s lap or too small to get lost or be frightened during an incident. “Look in his eyes,” she said with an adoring smile.  

Yes, his eyes were smiling too, and Rocky made this writer smile back. Whenever you see Rocky out and about feel comfortable to say hello to him. He’s there for all of Morro Bay to help and enjoy – whenever we need a smile!