10 shared principles

10 Shared Principles signed by Sangamon County Sheriff

SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WAND) - The Sangamon County Sheriff has signed 10 Shared Principles with the NAACP. 

Sheriff Paula Crouch joined President of the Springfield Branch NAACP Austin Randolph Jr., in signing the 10 Share Principles. 

The goal is to reaffirm a commitment to building trust and promoting fairness for all community members. 

The 10 Shared Principles were developed by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Illinois NAACP State Conference, designed to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and communities. 

Sheriff Crouch said, "Law enforcement works best when it works together with the community. I am proud to sign onto these principles alongside the NAACP as a pledge to work hand-in-hand with our community to continue building confidence in how we serve. This is about listening, treating all people with fairness, and strengthening our relationships." 

Randolph said, "The adoption of the ten shared principles by Sheriff Paula Crouch's department marks a pivotal moment in restoring trust and accountability in law enforcement in Sangamon County. This initiative is not just a policy; it is a promise to the Springfield community that all citizens will be treated with dignity and respect. The NAACP commends this commitment to transparency, equity, and shared values for all staff and the community." 

The 10 Shared Principles are: 

  1. We value the life of every person and consider life to be the highest value.
  2. All persons should be treated with dignity and respect. 
  3. We reject discrimination toward any person that is based on race, ethnicity, religion, color, nationality, immigrant status, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or familial status. 
  4. We endorse the six pillars of the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing. 
  5. We endorse the values inherent in community policing, which includes community partnerships involving law enforcement, engagement of community members, and collaborative problem-solving. 
  6. We believe that developing strong ongoing relationships between law enforcement and communities of color at the leadership level and street level will be the keys to diminishing and eliminating racial tension. 
  7. We believe that law enforcement and community leaders have a mutual responsibility to encourage all citizens to gain a better understanding and knowledge of the law to assist them in their interactions with law enforcement officers. 
  8. We support diversity in police departments and in the law enforcement profession. 
  9. We believe de-escalation training and tactics should be required to ensure the safety of community members and officers. 
  10. We believe that both law enforcement and community members have a mutual responsibility to ensure the safety of the community. 

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