SPRINGFIELD, In poor health. – The Illinois Senate accredited a invoice that requires a extra thorough assessment of potential law enforcement officials’ work historical past within the wake of the police capturing dying of Sonya Massey final yr in Sangamon County.
Police hiring reform
What we all know:
Senate Invoice 1953, sponsored by Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) would require legislation enforcement businesses to “conduct a extra complete assessment of a potential officer’s previous employment to make sure his or her bodily and psychological health for obligation,” in keeping with a information launch.
The Senate unanimously handed the invoice on Wednesday. It now heads to the Home of Representatives for passage in that chamber.
The backstory:
Turner’s workplace mentioned the laws was filed in response to the capturing dying of Massey, 36, in her Springfield space residence in July of 2024.
She was experiencing a psychological well being disaster when she known as officers to her residence.
Sonya Massey and Sean Grayson | Supplied
Sean Grayson, a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy on the time, was charged with first-degree homicide in reference to the killing. He pleaded not responsible.
Grayson’s profession included quick stints as a part-time officer at three small police departments and a full-time job at a fourth division in central Illinois, in keeping with The Related Press. He had additionally labored full time at one other sheriff’s workplace in Illinois earlier than being employed by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Workplace in Might 2023, a bit over a yr earlier than Massey’s dying.
The Sangamon County Board accredited a $10 million settlement with Massey’s household earlier this yr.
What they’re saying:
Turner mentioned in a press release that her laws took place after listening to from native officers and neighborhood members searching for steps to stop such police shootings sooner or later.
“Sonya’s tragic homicide dropped at mild the unjust hiring practices throughout the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Workplace,” she mentioned. “The legislative measures come from conversations with state and county officers, legislation enforcement and neighborhood members. We’ve got to take the required steps to make sure this by no means occurs once more.”
The Assocated Press contributed to this report.
