Women in Policing event to take place at the South Bend Police Department

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- "Women in Policing" event will take place Thursday at 5:00 p.m. at the South Bend Police Department.

"Women in Policing" is an open-house style recruiting event hosted by the South Bend Police Department designed to give women interested in a law enforcement career the opportunity to meet female officers of various ranks and units.

A previous event drew in over 40 women, several of whom passed the physical test, advanced to background checks and ultimately were hired and now attend the academy.

The hiring standards are identical for both men and women: applicants must be at least 21 years-old and sworn in before age 40 due to state pension rules, and everyone must complete the same physical agility test and hiring steps.

At the event, women have the opportunity to learn what the physical test looks like along with the full hiring process and timeline.

"It's one of the most rewarding careers that anyone could have." Said Kathy Fulnecky, who oversees the training recruiting division. "And I think it's nice to bring the women together, because if they have questions or concerns, then they could be answered here, and then it takes a little bit of anxiety out of the hiring process and what they actually expect on the actual prospect day, which is our hiring day"