PORTLAND, OR --The FBI has joined more than 260 other U.S. and Canadian law enforcement agencies in the 30x30 Initiative, to increase female recruits to at least 30% by 2030.

Stephanie Shark is the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Portland FBI Field Office, overseeing the National Security Program. She’s been with the bureau 17 years. "Before I signed on," she tells KBND News, "I demanded that I speak with another female agent, to make sure that there was room for upward mobility in the FBI for women."

She says a large number of current female agents still don’t realize women serve in leadership at the Bureau, but they are critical to law enforcement efforts, "Study after study has shown that women are better at building trust in the community. A lot of time communities will open up to women in a way they won’t, in general, open up to men. Although, I work with some fabulous men who have the best relationships with others. Women, in general, are more community-oriented and compassionate with people in a variety of roles, and they have special skills for de-escalation." 

In ASAC Shark's National Security role, she says she's seen the important perspective women bring to investigations like domestic terrorism, "Terrorism is rooted in fear. It’s rooted in terror. And, if you don’t understand what it’s like to be afraid; if you don’t understand what it’s like to be on the other end of threats, you may not appreciate the gravity of the circumstance. If you’re not a woman who’s been afraid to walk home at night, you may not appreciate the dangers that people are in."

Right now only 23.4% of the agents nationwide are women. "The female special agent population was stagnant at 17-19% for almost two decades," says Shark, "It was only three years ago that we were finally able to break the 20%." In Portland, Shark says, it’s still only about 18%, but the number grows with each recruitment class.

Click HERE to learn more about the FBI's involvement in the 30x30 Initiative.