The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a review into the practices of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, Sangamon County, and the Sangamon County Central Dispatch System in connection with the police killing of Sonya Massey. The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division stated in a letter dated November 14th that the review will examine whether these agencies violated federal nondiscrimination requirements.
The review comes amid ongoing public scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding Massey’s death and broader calls for transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices within the county.
Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch emphasized the importance of transparency and pledged the department’s full cooperation with the DOJ.
“The Sangamon County Sheriff's Office takes seriously its responsibility to uphold the highest standards of service and transparency,” Crouch stated. “The Sheriff’s Office, along with involved county agencies, has engaged in discussions and pledged full cooperation with the Department of Justice in its review.
“While the volume of material requested is substantial, we understand and respect the need for thorough analysis, and we will be bringing in professional staff to assist in compiling the data to ensure accuracy and completeness.
“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. 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 Chairman Andy Van Meter also welcomed the DOJ’s review, framing it as an opportunity to reinforce accountability within county agencies.
“We welcome the Department of Justice’s review as an opportunity to ensure that our community’s law enforcement services meet the highest standards of fairness and accountability,” Van Meter said. “I have full confidence in Sheriff Paula Crouch and her team to approach this process with transparency and diligence.
“The Sangamon County Board is fully committed to supporting the Sheriff’s Office in meeting the DOJ’s deadlines and requirements. 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.”
The DOJ’s review is expected to include an extensive examination of policies, practices, and records from the Sheriff’s Office and other involved agencies. Both Crouch and Van Meter expressed their intention to meet all DOJ deadlines and to assist in providing the necessary information to facilitate the review.