SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Sangamon County's Massey Commission has sent hiring recommendations to the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office, such as screening candidates for ties to known hate groups and prohibiting candidates who have recent Class A Misdemeanors.

The commission, which was formed following the murder of Springfield woman Sonya Massey in her home during a 911 call, requested an investigation into hiring practices at SCSO during a meeting in October 2024.

Massey was shot by former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson, who is currently on trial for murder. Grayson worked for six different police agencies within four years and had a drunken driving conviction during his time in the Army.

In December, new Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch announced that the department would be implementing more thorough hiring practices.

"With our interview process, instead of just the applicant sitting down and talking to me, I've kind of built a panel of four people," Crouch told WAND News. "So everybody on that panel has maybe a little bit different background, so that when we're evaluating  the applicant and their suitability, you have varying, backgrounds that can base their answers on."

The full list of recommendations can be found below:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the members of the Massey Commission, on this 13th day of January, 2025, that the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department adopt the following changes to the hiring process at the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office:

  • The Internal Affairs Department of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office shall conduct background checks of applicants that include, in addition to existing requirements:

    • FOIA requests of any public agency personnel file and internal affairs files;

    • Review of social media accounts/posts, with particular scrutiny given to membership in/involvement with known hate groups. The Southern Poverty Law Center defines a hate group as an organization or collection of individuals that –based on its official statements or principles, the statements of its leaders, or its activities – has beliefs or practices that attack or malign an entire class of people, typically for their immutable characteristics. An organization does not need to have engaged in criminal conduct or have followed their speech with actual unlawful action to be labeled a hate group; and

    • Review of involvement in civil legal proceedings, with particular attention to orders of protection or similar civil judgments.

  • All applicants at the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, including entry-level and lateral hires, shall undergo the same hiring procedures, such as testing, background checks and drug testing for illegal substances and anabolic steroid use.

  • Employment shall be prohibited for any applicant who:

    • Has a conviction for a Class A Misdemeanor within 5 years prior to application, or

    • Has two (2) or more Class A Misdemeanor convictions in the 10 years prior to application, or

    • Has ever been placed on the Brady List.

  • The Deputy Merit Commission shall review all applicants and their background checks and shall formally vote on any offer of employment after the Sheriff requests approval to hire. A negative vote of the Deputy Merit Commission shall preclude a candidate’s hire with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.

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