Recent controversies, such as the murder of Sonya Massey, reveal the need for a fundamental shift in how police services are structured and monitored. The pity settlement for the family will not be enough to protect Black youth unless Illinois Senator Doris Turner’s proposed Sonya Massey laws pass in Congress. Since, as we all know, minority communities need reform in American policing to preserve innocent lives.
A heartbreaking murder
Sonya Massey was murdered by Officer Sean Grayson on July 6 in Woodside Township near Springfield, Illinois. She called the police, thinking someone was breaking into her home. As the police arrived, they disrespected her and told her to turn off her stove.
She complied and lifted her pot. As it was in the air, Grayson yelled for her to drop it multiple times, and Massey apologized. Massey suffered from schizophrenia, which prevented her from understanding Grayson’s orders.
Grayson then shot her three times. One shot hit Massey in the head, ultimately killing her. The other officer on the scene stated that he was going to get the medical kit, but Grayson told him not to.
Clearly, this chalks up to police negligence in response to her mental issues. The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office fired Grayson, who now awaits trial. Currently, he’s looking to have his trial moved to a new city. Although Grayson has a long history, many others in Sangamon County reported the same issues plaguing their areas.
Attorneys for Massey’s camp agreed that money alone would not suffice. Last year, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth proposed utilizing internal civilian investigations regarding policing. This approach is a huge step in the right direction. As a Black man in America who recognizes the danger police bring into my communities, this is the approach necessary to make a difference.
Lost connections
The bond between police officers and their communities is built on trust. However, misconduct and racial prejudice has destroyed that connection. Without that trust, police cannot effectively do their jobs. Internal officer solidarity and powerful police unions often protect wrongdoers, preventing accountability.
If we want to avoid cases like Massey’s, we must hold officers accountable. This starts by announcing that we are tired of these policing systems being run by unions looking to protect the thin blue line. Additionally, I would argue that we need social workers to accompany these officers.
Necessary actions
Integrating social services with policing, such as having varied psychologists, social workers and rehab officials alongside officers for patrols, could better address underlying social issues.
This model aligns with the idea of utilizing civilian review boards in investigations. Also, with civilian review boards, democracy will shine as the people will gain the power to protect their cities.
Aside from civilian review boards, there is a clear need for comprehensive training and a national standard for police education. Officer training must include components for ethnic diversity, mental health first-aid and cultural sensitivity.
I still find it ridiculous that there is an absence of a national database tracking police misconduct. This allows problematic officers to move between jurisdictions, as seen in Massey’s case. Enhanced oversight, better training and increased civilian involvement are necessary to address these issues and rebuild community trust.
A community that has witnessed the murders of Fred Hampton, Laquan McDonald and George Floyd.
Follow your dollar: the taxpayers from these communities fund these settlement costs. The city of Chicago sets aside $82 million annually to cover the cost of police misconduct lawsuits. These cities have also spent millions in taxpayer dollars settling lawsuits for police mistreatment of protestors involved in BLM demonstrations.
Proposed solutions
Senator Turner has proposed bills that include more robust background checks and greater sharing of law enforcement applicants’ work and personal history. This implementation shouldn’t be divided, instead, everybody should want the best officers on patrol for the sake of tax dollars.
Understandably, various reform advocates and scholars have also explored integrating social services with policing and enhancing police accountability. Recently, embedding mental health professionals in police responses has gained traction.
Oregon has come up with a viable solution. However, now is the necessary time to spark a change. In our polarized democracy, grieving families want to defund the police and do away with them. The societal impact of that decision would shake the foundations of American civilization. We currently have evidence of that within Alaska.
While the other side promotes and excuses the unjust killing of civilians, it is evident that this is a problem that requires a major solution. I’m not asking to abolish the police, I’m asking to leave behind their racist pasts. However, something can and must be changed to prevent another murder like that of Sonya Massey. The Illinois Congress recently passed the Sonya Massey laws. We’re starting to realize that money alone cannot fix racism.
For the sake of America, we need to continue the trend of stronger police hiring nationwide. If that’s not feasible, the approach of integrating social workers into police patrols is the best way forward.
