Senate Democrats are pushing for police reform legislation following the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black woman killed by a deputy in Springfield, Illinois, earlier this month.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)) reintroduced the Police Training and Independent Review Act on Tuesday — a bill that would use grants to incentivize states to improve law enforcement training and hold independent investigations when police kill citizens.
A dozen democrats co-sponsored Duckworth’s bill. It also garnered support from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Duckworth first introduced the legislation in 2017, citing unrest that took place in Ferguson following the killing of Michael Brown in 2014. The senator reintroduced the legislation again in 2019 and then another time in 2021, following the murder of George Floyd and the conviction of former Minneapolis Police Department Officer Derek Chauvin.
“I felt there was an issue with police departments not having the proper training, but also the same justice department that would review the misconduct…were the same people who would depend on that particular police district to help them win their cases,” Duckworth told HuffPost. “We cannot continue to bear witness to tragic preventable and common deaths in particular black men and women at the hands of Black men and women. And we saw in Sonya Massey’s case that this is still ongoing.”
Police in America fatally shoot at least 1,000 people a year, according to a police shooting database from The Washington Post.
Massey’s death has caused outrage around the country.
On July 6, two deputies of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office responded to Massey’s home in Springfield, Illinois, after Massey made a 911 call about a suspected intruder.
After questioning her, Deputy Sean Grayson, 30, and another deputy went inside her home, and told Massey to back away from what they believed was a boiling pot of water.
“I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” Massey, 36, told the deputy.
Grayson immediately pointed his gun at Massey, who was unarmed during the entire encounter. Massey crouched down to the floor with the pot moments before Grayson fired three shots, killing her. Massey was struck in the face during the shooting.
President Joe Biden released a statement following the release of the footage of Massey’s killing.
“I commend the swift actions that were taken by the Springfield State’s Attorney’s office. While we wait for the case to be prosecuted, let us pray to comfort the grieving,” Biden said in a statement. “Congress must pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act now. Our fundamental commitment to justice is at stake.”
Vice President Kamala Harris called her family members just days after.
Grayson was charged with first-degree murder, officer misconduct and aggravated assault with a firearm in the shooting. He worked for a total of six departments in four years and was previously discharged from the army for misconduct.
A national day of silence was held for Massey on Saturday.
“The NAACP strongly supports the Police Training and Independent Review Act and acknowledges the urgent need for comprehensive training and independent investigations in law enforcement,” NAACP Vice President of Policy and Legislative Affairs Cedric C. Haynes said in a statement.
“This bill is crucial to prevent tragedies like the recent fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, and to ensure accountability and justice. The U.S. has a long history of issues in policing, and we see this legislation as a necessary step towards restoring trust and advancing community safety.”
