My Story: Adonia Hurley
“When God calls you to something, you do it,” says Jessup alumna and Rocklin Police and Canine Handler, Adonia Hurley. Called to law enforcement in high school, Hurley pursued her calling at Jessup University despite no criminal justice program being offered at the time. Instead, she enrolled as a psychology major, a field that provided an essential foundation for police work, particularly in addressing mental health issues that often lead to crime.
“When God calls you to something, you do it.”
Jessup not only shaped her career path, but also her faith through spiritual formation groups, chapel, community service, and a missions trip to Haiti. Her faith is a strong component in her work. “Daily, I put my faith as a priority because of the kind of work I do. Having faith as my foundation is how I survive law enforcement. You have to remember that police officers often show up and see people’s deepest, darkest sins and that can be hard to process.”
Working as a student campus safety officer and participating in the Rocklin Police Department’s Police Services Aid (PSA) program provided Hurley with valuable experience in all aspects of police work, including patrol, dispatch, records and evidence. The program’s mock police academy physical training tests also helped prepared her for the physical demands of the job. Upon graduation, she secured a job offer from the Rocklin Police Department.
A dog lover at heart, Hurley was introduced to police canines during her time in the police academy and knew she wanted to gain more experience learning to handle them. Volunteering as a decoy, she took bites and hid in various locations to help train the dogs. This experience taught her a lot about canine training and the high level of scrutiny involved in the program. “I think people don’t understand how much training and hard work happens working with these dogs,” she said. “Dogs don’t see color or gender. Instead they are trained to find something, so they see pursuit as a game they love and want to get good at it. I wish people knew the dogs simply want to come to work with their best friend.”
After a year and a half of volunteering, she met her best friend, now known as Hurley #303. Spending long hours together in the car, they developed a strong bond and became an effective team. Her partnership with Hurley has enhanced her job performance and solidified her reputation as a skilled officer. She also engages in community outreach, educating the public about canine officers’ contributions and promoting trust between law enforcement and the community.
Balancing her roles as a mom, wife, and officer, Hurley feels blessed with where God has led her. Her journey exemplifies dedication, faith and the impact of positive relationships in law enforcement.
