Port Royal dog cop and handler got off to a rocky start. Now they’re breaking ground
A one-and-a-half-year-old German shepherd and two-year police force veteran are patrolling the streets and breaking ground as Port Royal’s first canine unit after enduring six weeks of “brutal” training that tested both of their resolves.
His name is Rocky. Cpl. Karina Galindo is his handler.
The partners were introduced to the community Wednesday at a Town Council meeting, when Galindo was promoted to corporal and Rocky was sworn in as the newest member of the department of 35 officers.
The inspirational theme song from the hit movie Rocky, “Gonna Fly Now,” rang out in the Town Council chambers as Galindo proudly strode to the front of the room with black-and-tan Rocky at her side watching her every move.
From his position on the floor, Rocky’s eyes were fixed upward on Galindo as she placed her hand on a Bible to take the oath on his behalf from Daniel Russell, the department chaplain. Then Rocky received a badge that is displayed on his harness when he’s on patrol.
Their relationship may be tight now, but it was rocky in the beginning.
“The first couple weeks, can’t say it was the easiest,” Galindo said. “I’ve been through Marine Corps bootcamp and I gotta say six weeks of training with a dog is like totally different. It was definitely challenging.”
Galindo and Rocky completed six weeks of intensive training in Pennsylvania at the end of October.
Rocky is the department’s first canine officer, police said, making Galindo the department’s first canine handler. She’s also the first female canine handler for the area, police added.
The German shepherd Rocky, who was born in Europe, is a multipurpose dog with training in apprehension, drug location and tracking, Police Chief Jeff Meyers said.
The training Galindo and Rocky endured in Pennsylvania, Meyers added, was “brutal.” It will continue daily when the partners are out on the road patrolling and even during off hours, Meyers said. Weekly training sessions with canines and handlers from other departments also are part of the never-ending regimen.
Funding for the start-up costs, including the training, dog and outfitting of the patrol vehicle, were paid for from narcotics seizure funds, Meyers said, so there was no impact on the town budget.
The department is working on setting up a process where residents can donate for the continued funding of the canine program, said Capt. Norman McCown, a department spokesman.
This story was originally published November 13, 2025 at 12:03 PM.
