Police department background checks for recruits become mandatory following the shooting incident involving Sonya Massey in Illinois.
In the wake of the tragic shooting of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old unarmed Black woman in Illinois, by Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson on July 6, 2024, the state has taken significant steps to reform police hiring practices.
Massey, a single mother of two teenagers who lived in Springfield, had called 911 to report a suspected prowler. Grayson, who was 14 months into his career as a Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy, responded to the call but found no one. The incident escalated, and body camera footage shows Grayson advancing towards Massey, who was holding a pot of hot water from her stove, after she said, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." Grayson then drew his firearm and fired three shots, striking Massey in the head.
The shooting was ruled unjustified by an Illinois State Police use-of-force report, which criticized Grayson for escalating the situation. Grayson was fired, indicted on first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct charges, and is scheduled for trial in October.
Grayson had a troubled law enforcement history, having worked for six different agencies over four years and having two prior DUI arrests. An incident involving Grayson, where he ignored an order to halt a high-speed chase and hit a deer with his squad car, would not have disqualified him. Another past employer noted that he was sloppy in handling evidence and called him a braggart. Others said he was impulsive.
In response to the incident, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation named after Massey to strengthen police hiring rules. The new law requires job seekers in policing to sign a waiver for past employers to release unredacted background materials. This includes job performance reports, physical and psychological fitness-for-duty reports, court records, nondisclosure or separation agreements, and other nonpublic documents.
The legislation was prompted by an examination of Grayson's record, which showed several trouble spots. Sen. Doris Turner, a neighbor of Massey’s family, sponsored the bill, emphasizing its importance for rebuilding community trust.
The incident also led to the early retirement of Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell and a Justice Department agreement to improve training on non-discriminatory policing, de-escalation, and interactions with people with mental health disabilities in the sheriff’s office.
The trial proceedings have been moved from Springfield to Peoria due to publicity. A judge's approval can be sought to view documents sealed by court order. Grayson faces charges of aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct and has pleaded not guilty.
The shooting incident has resulted in a $10 million civil court settlement. The law signed by Gov. Pritzker requires the disclosure of everything from job performance reports to nonpublic settlement agreements for prospective police officers.
Kenny Winslow, executive director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, stated that the law is a minimum requirement for a background check. However, it is important to note that the law would not have prevented Grayson's hiring, as Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell was aware of Grayson's shortcomings.
This new legislation marks a significant step towards ensuring that officers with histories of misconduct or bias are not employed, and it is hoped that it will help rebuild community trust in the police force.
- The tragic shooting of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman in Illinois, has sparked international news, leading to a court trial for Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson in October.
- In response to Massey's shooting, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed a new law, named after Massey, to strengthen police hiring rules, including the request for unredacted background materials from past employers.
- The trial proceedings for Grayson, facing charges of aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct, have been moved from Springfield to Peoria due to publicity, with a judge's approval allowed to view documents sealed by court order.
- The incident has also resulted in a $10 million civil court settlement and a Justice Department agreement to improve training for non-discriminatory policing, de-escalation, and interactions with people with mental health disabilities in the Sangamon County Sheriff’s office.
- Kenny Winslow, executive director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, emphasized that the new law is a minimum requirement for a background check, but noted that it might not have prevented Grayson's hiring due to Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell's awareness of Grayson's shortcomings.
