A new Illinois law will require prospective police and law enforcement officers to release personal background records before they can be hired.
Gov. JB Pritzker signed the bill outlining new police officer hiring requirements into law Tuesday, The Associated Press reports. Under the legislation, potential officers must sign a waiver to allow past departments and agencies to release complete, unredacted background records, including nonpublic settlement and separation agreements.
Sealed court documents may be released under a judge's order. A judge may also force former employers to release information.
“Several departments need to pick up their game and implement new procedures, but what’s listed here (in the law) is what should be minimally done in a background check,” said Kenny Winslow, executive director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. Winslow provided input as the legislation was crafted.
The legislation, which was sponsored by Sen. Doris Turner and Rep. Kam Buckner, both Democrats, was created in response to the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey by Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson. A confrontation happened after Massey called 9-1-1 about a suspected prowler, and Grayson opened fire after Massey, who was unarmed, picked up a pot of hot water and told the deputy, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus."
Grayson was arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct two weeks after the incident. A look at his background discovered past DUI convictions and employment performance issues.
“Our justice system needs to be built on trust,” said Pritzker. “Communities should be able to trust that when they call the police to their home, the responding officer will be well-trained and without a history of bias or misconduct, and police officers should be able to trust that they are serving alongside responsible and capable individuals.”
