Portland Courant

Last month, Portland Police Commander Erica Hurley graduated as a member of the 284th session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on December 8, 2022. Commander Hurley is the first female PPB member in at least 25 years to complete this prestigious program. Nationally, less than one percent of law enforcement officers have the opportunity to attend the program.

Known internationally for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers ten weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.

The 284th session consisted of 237 law enforcement officers from 49 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 25 countries, 5 military organizations, and 5 federal civilian organizations.

Commander Hurley graduated with a class of two other female law enforcement leaders from Oregon: Washington County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Commander Caprice Massey and Lieutenant Kate Abraham from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Commander Hurley was hired by the Portland Police Bureau in September 1994. In her 25 years of service, she has held the rank of Officer, Detective, Lieutenant, Captain, and in 2020, she was promoted to Commander. For the past two years she has been assigned to East Precinct. This fall she invited the public along for a ride along: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z3be9G1jRQ

"Commander Hurley's leadership and commitment to public service continues to be a huge asset to the City of Portland," said Chief Chuck Lovell. "I'm grateful to the FBI for offering her a chance to undergo this elite training that will help lead the Portland Police Bureau as we continue to rebuild in 2023."

“My time at the National Academy was one of significant learning and growth," said Commander Hurley. "Thank you to the Portland Police Bureau for the privilege to attend the National Academy and learn from some of the best FBI instructors in the nation. I was able to improve my leadership abilities and learn new strategies to help our community. “

In addition to the FBI Academy, Commander Hurley and National Academy Session 284 students came together to welcome, recognize, and honor the enormous courage displayed by 11-year-old Pearland, Texas native Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel as he has continued to beat the odds against his terminal cancer diagnosis. Session 284 spent countless hours collecting donations and coordinating together and with their individual departments to ensure DJ’s day on December 5, 2022, with Session 284 was filled with fun and lasting memories. There were 237 students in Session 284, which grew even larger after they made DJ an honorary member as testament to his courageous cancer fight. In what has been described as a beautiful scene of our law enforcement community continuing to unite to positively support our communities, Commander Hurley joined 50 individual police agencies swore DJ in as an honorary member of the Portland Police Bureau (photo).

December was a significant month for Commander Hurley for another reason—she was honored to assist in the swearing in of her daughter, Katelynn, as a third-generation Portland Police Officer (on both sides of her family). Katelynn's grandfathers are both retired PPB members.

"This really has been an exciting month for me, with both graduating from the National Academy and presenting my daughter with my father's badge on the day she's sworn in as a Portland Police Officer," said Commander Hurley. "It is hard to express how honored I am to serve the men and women of the Portland Police Bureau and work as a public servant for the City of Portland. I'm both humbled and excited that my daughter has chosen to be the third generation to follow in our family footsteps. I look forward to seeing her grow as a person and professional after joining this great organization." 

Original source can be found here.