SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office following the police killing of Sonya Massey.
In a letter released on Thursday, the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division said it is looking to see if the sheriff’s office, the county or its central dispatch system violated federal nondiscrimination requirements.
The DOJ letter was shared publicly by a Sangamon County spokesman.
Former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson was charged for the murder of Sonya Massey in July. Body cam footage was released from a 911 call that showed Grayson shooting Massey during an exchange in her kitchen, involving a pot of water. After the shooting, Grayson failed to give Massey medical help.
Grayson remains in jail awaiting a pre-trial release hearing next month.
The DOJ has reviewed reports into Massey’s death.
“The incident raises serious concerns about SCSO’s interactions with Black people and people with behavioral health disabilities, as well as SCSO’s policies, practices, procedures, and training regarding community policing, bias-free policing, response to behavioral health crises, use of force, de-escalation, affirmative duty to intervene, affirmative duty to render medical aid, and body-worn camera (”BWC”) policies and compliance,” the letter said.
According to 25 News, the letter also said the DOJ was concerned about how previous 911 calls involving Massey were handled. In addition, the letter raised concerns about hiring practices and a lack of diversity within the sheriff’s department.
“DOJ has reviewed reports concerning SCSO’s employment practices, including allegations that a lack of racial diversity at SCSO impacts SCSO’s provision of policing services in communities of color,” the letter said. “These allegations collectively raise concerns of race and disability discrimination prohibited by Title VI, the Safe Streets Act, and Title II.”
The DOJ has requested a multitude of information from Sangamon County, including organization charts for all three agencies with their chain of command structure, information on county ADA coordinators, and all documents related to Sonya Massey. In total, there are 28 items the DOJ wants from Sangamon County agencies.
Massey’s death led to the retirement of Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbel. The Massey Commission was formed to examine matters related to her death, and to provide recommendations for improvement in four areas: law enforcement hiring and training, mental health services and emergency response, community education on public health and safety, and economic disparities and service accessibility.
Sangamon County’s current Sheriff Paula Crouch reportedly welcomed the DOJ investigation, saying her office and the county will cooperate fully, and that additional staff will be brought in to fulfill the DOJ’s request.
“We believe that transparency fosters trust, which is why much of the material requested specifically regarding the Sonya Massey tragedy is already available online for the public to access and review,” Crouch said in a statement. “We aim to meet the deadlines outlined in the DOJ’s request and look forward to their conclusions and recommendations. This process is an important step in building community-wide confidence and strengthening our delivery of fair and effective services to the residents of Sangamon County.”
Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter welcomed the investigation as well, saying he has full confidence in the sheriff to be transparent and diligent.
“The Sangamon County Board is fully committed to supporting the Sheriff’s Office in meeting the DOJ’s deadlines and requirements,” Van Meter said in a statement. “Whether through financial resources or additional staffing, we will ensure they have the tools necessary to provide the requested information thoroughly and efficiently. This review is a critical step in strengthening public trust of the Sheriff’s Office.”
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