Examining police reforms in the SAFE-T Act following Massey shooting

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — As the Springfield community reels from the murder of Sonya Massey, a Springfield woman who was shot by a deputy on duty, WAND News is examining what police reforms were included in the SAFE-T Act.

Portions of the SAFE-T Act were initially introduced by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. The law, which passed in January 2021, made a number of reforms that affected the criminal justice system, including the abolition of cash bail, compensation for crime victims, sentencing reforms, and policing reforms.

New standards for law enforcement focused on expanded training, funding for co-responder models, and improved police accountability.

One section requires that officers provide aid after the use of force. The petition to deny pretrial release of Sean P. Grayson, the deputy charged with shooting Massey, stated that Grayson not only failed to provide medical help to Massey after he shot her, he also instructed the other deputy present to not provide her medical attention. The other deputy chose to give Massey aid until medical help arrived.

The SAFE-T act will also require all law enforcement to wear body cameras by Jan. 1, 2025. The petition to deny release notes that Grayson only turned on his camera after he shot Massey. The other deputy at the scene had his camera on for the entirety of the situation.

WAND News sent a FOIA request to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) for Grayson's law enforcement employment record, as well as his training history. The records show that he did complete trainings covering topics such as the use of force, officer stress management, and emergency medical response.

His employment history lists employment with six different departments within a four-year period beginning with the Pawnee Police Department, Kincaid Police Department, Virden Police Department, Auburn Police Department, Logan County Sheriff's Office, and Sangamon County Sheriff's Office.

Earlier this year, the ILETSB asked lawmakers for additional funding to make the curriculum compliant with the SAFE-T Act.