PEORIA, Ill. — In a white, male-dominated field, Peoria Police are working to attract more female officers. It’s an effort to bring diversity to the department and make sure the community is better represented in uniform.
Tuesday, six recruits were sworn in as Peoria Police officers. Three are African American, and of those, two were women.
“I definitely said I was going to do it. I wasn’t going to let any barriers hinder my success on wanting to do this. I used all my obstacles as steppingstones,” said police recruit Destiny Hayes.
After growing up on Peoria’s south side, Hayes, 23, saw crime and gun violence on her street.
“Just being a kid and witnessing that made me want to step up to the plate because there are communities that need someone to represent them and speak up for them and that’s what I felt the police were for,” said Hayes.
It inspired her to become a Peoria Police Officer. She’s one of the six newest recruits. Alongside her is another woman and Peoria native Kylia Birris, 25.
“I think that being an African American woman, it gives me a chance to show other women like myself that you can pursue careers in law enforcement, and I also want to serve as a role model for youth as well,” said Birris.
Chief Eric Echevarria tells 25 News that minority groups are the toughest to recruit, including women.
“They absolutely can do this job. We absolutely want women in this field, and we absolutely need them in policing,” said the chief.
The chief hopes to have women represent 30% of the force by 2030. Currently, 13% are women.
Nationally, women make up 12% of sworn officers and 3% of police leadership.
Now, as the women head off to the academy, they plan to return as train officers and work their way up the ranks, inspiring other young women.
“I’m very proud. I’ve worked very hard to get to this point,” said Birris.
“I would love to start programs for young ladies or youth in the community,” Hayes continued, “I’m definitely going to come in here and work hard and hit the ground running.”
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