SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - According to the Department of Justice, 14% of of full-time sworn officers in US police departments are women. ISP's 30 by 30 initiative hopes to increase this number, by hoping to make 30% of their recruit class women by 2030. 

"Recruitment overall right now is difficult, so we are focusing on various aspects to try to help that," said Rebecca Hooks, the first Deputy Director for ISP. "We are stronger as a whole when we have people of varying skill sets and abilities and training and experience, and we should be reflecting the communities that we serve. 

As part of their efforts to include more women, the department hosted their first all women recruitment event on Tuesday. The goal was to help young women see all the potential opportunities a career at ISP would hold. 

The newest class of cadets at ISP's training facility also attended the event, which included a dozen women. Cadet Danielle Pondel said she wanted to become an ISP officer to help others. She was happy to see women in leadership and in every department, to know she can achieve great things. 

"It's nice to know, being here, seeing all the different women and I know I'm going to be part of this," said Pondel. "I'm going to be one of those women down the road. Even coming here and talking to some of the younger girls and being, influential to them and saying, hey, I started here, and now I'm here today." 

Hooks is the highest ranking woman in state police history. She is second in command of ISP. 

Illinois State Police is currently hiring. For more details, see the website here. 

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