In 1976, the Affirmative Action Program, later named Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), was formed to help increase promotions among minorities.

Trooper Robert Moore, a three-year Trooper from District 15, was selected to develop, manage, and implement the statewide affirmative action program mandated in the 1970’s law suit settlement and to comply with other state and federal Equal Employment laws and guidelines. Trooper Moore, born in the segregated town of Pontotoc, Mississippi, had previous military service, two years of law enforcement experience as a deputy sheriff, supervisory experience at the Chrysler Corporation, and was working toward his bachelor's degree in criminology at Northern Illinois University at the time of his selection. He would complete a bachelor's and master's degree at Sangamon State University while serving as the EEO Manager for the ISP (1976 - 1983).

Shortly after being selected as the Affirmative Action Officer, Trooper Moore began his training for the position by attending the National Black Police Association conference in Louisville, Kentucky. There he was introduced to the formation of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). He would become a member of NOBLE in 1980 and later initiate the formation of the Association of Black Law Enforcement officers into the Department in 1984.

In 1979, EEO recommended the Merit Board change the promotional process from a list of the top 3 candidates being equally eligible for promotion to the current list of the top 10 candidates being equally eligible for promotion.