(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The U.S. Department of Justice has reached an agreement with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, the Sangamon County Central Dispatch System, and Sangamon County. This agreement resolves an investigation into race and disability discrimination in policing and dispatch services.
The investigation began after complaints about a Sangamon County deputy’s fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black woman experiencing a mental health crisis. Massey had called 911 for help.
The Massey Commission, a citizen commission created by Sangamon County after Massey’s death, sent a letter to the Department of Justice on Oct. 28, calling for a full review focused on hiring practices, handling complaints, and enforcing discipline to build public trust.
The commission asked to confirm appropriate procedures are in place to manage complaints and make sure disciplinary actions are enforced. The commission also sent letters to Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division looked into whether the entities followed Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. These laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, and disability.
The Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office worked with the Justice Department to reach this agreement. The agreement includes updating policies, rules, and procedures, and providing training on non-discriminatory policing and interactions with people with behavioral health disabilities.
It also requires a mobile crisis team program with trained behavioral health staff to respond to urgent needs. A Community Engagement Plan will be developed to ensure transparency and community confidence. The agreement includes data collection and reporting for two years of monitoring.
“We are pleased that there has been swift action and we look forward to reviewing the details of the agreement. The agreement does acknowledge the work of the Massey Commission and asks the county to work collaboratively with us to incorporate our recommendations,” said Massey Commission Co-Chair JoAnn Johnson.
Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch said, “We are focused on fostering trust and improving the ways we serve our community. The DOJ review did not reveal any discriminatory practices, but we recognize that there is always room for improvement. The steps outlined in the MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) will not only enhance transparency and accountability but also strengthen our relationship with the community.”
The agreement does not admit liability, and the Justice Department has not found discrimination. The public can report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/.
