ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Rebecca Hooks has been a longtime member of the Illinois State Police, originally as a patrol officer in the Chicago area for four years after joining in 2002.
Over two decades later, Hooks hard work, perseverance and longtime commitment to serving in the Illinois State Police was rewarded over the last week as she was promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to First Deputy Director, becoming the first female to achieve this position within Illinois State Police since its inception in 1922.
The First Deputy Director is highest sworn ranking officer and Banks will now oversee the departments operations in general. As the First Deputy Director, Hooks is second in command to Director Brendan F. Kelly
Hooks joined Total Information A.M. Wednesday to discuss her new role, where she credited her mentors for being able to help forge a path for her.
"I been fortunate to have amazing mentors," said Hooks. "Because of the environment I been working in, it's predominantly men. But people who saw more in me and more in my potential than myself, they pushed me."
Hooks says throughout her entire time in the department, she never felt scared to try and apply for a role, even if the odds were against her.
I've been lucky in the agency to never look in a position and think 'I can't do that because I'm a woman'." said Hooks. "I've really taken advantages of opportunities and the mentors that I've had pushed me. I feel fortunate to have been given those opportunities and just work hard in the seat I was in and doors opened for me."
Hooks is certified as a Bloodstain Pattern Analyst and Crime Scene Investigator by the International Association for Identification.
She has taught bloodstain pattern analysis courses to law enforcement across Illinois and the United States, but also to international police in Tbilisi and Batumi in the country of Georgia, through ISP’s partnership with the U.S. Department of State.
Hooks has also been a bloodstain pattern analysis expert witness in countless trials.