The Sonya Massey case and trust in policing

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As a community and family mourn Sonya Massey, it places a spotlight on how critical building public trust is to effective policing, and how easily that trust can dissolve.

Sonya, a 36-year-old Black woman living in Sangamon County, Ill., called 911 on July 6 after she reported hearing noises outside her home. She was shot and killed by a member of law enforcement who did not follow training and who had numerous red flags that should have prevented his hiring in the first place.

Sonya Massey should still be alive today, and that was underscored by Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell’s comments to his community. “We did not do our jobs. We failed Sonya. We failed Sonya’s family and friends. We failed the community.”

As chiefs of police serving communities across Hennepin County, this preventable and senseless tragedy serves as a poignant reminder that actions and decisions made by law enforcement officers have profound consequences.

As leaders in law enforcement, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that those entrusted with the power to enforce the law are properly trained, that we do our job to thoroughly vet the men and women we hire in our departments, and that those who wear the badge are both capable and compassionate.

Many Minnesotans have read stories in the news about local police departments offering new benefits, pay increases and new incentives for officers as departments face a tough recruiting climate and a decreasing number of applicants. But strict hiring practices must never be sacrificed, and that is a commitment we share and act upon every day in Hennepin County.

Comprehensive background checks and psychological evaluations are necessary to fully vet potential officers, ensuring they possess the character and temperament required to uphold the law with fairness and respect. Officers must not only display excellent moral character but also demonstrate the ability to assess and respond appropriately to rapidly evolving situations.

The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Therefore, our agencies remain vigilant in recognizing and addressing any concerns during the hiring process. This proactive approach is crucial in preventing the recruitment of individuals who may undermine the integrity and effectiveness of the police force. In the case of this deputy, it’s clear numerous red flags were ignored, and that put everyone at risk. It resulted in the death of an innocent woman.

When people call the police, it’s because they need help. They need to feel safe, protected and know that the officers who show up to a scene will do everything in their power to resolve a situation appropriately and effectively. Massey deserved that help and protection.

Our officers are put in high-risk situations every day, and we must ensure they are up to the task. That’s why in addition to thorough vetting, quality training is a critical component that prepares our officers to handle the diverse issues and people they will encounter.

The Sangamon County Sheriff’s office said of the deputy who shot and killed Sonya Massey that his actions “do not reflect the values and training the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office or law enforcement as a whole” and it was “clear that the deputy did not act as trained or in accordance with our standards.”

Our departments have invested significant time in ensuring our officers receive regular and ongoing training in everything from de-escalation to mental health crisis response. We are constantly evaluating and advancing best practices in training because quality training reinforces real responses in the field, even in the highest-pressure situations.

Public safety hinges on public trust, and this begins with ensuring our officers are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their duties with professionalism and empathy.

As law enforcement agencies within Hennepin County, we are committed to hiring only the most qualified candidates and providing rigorous training. We owe it to our communities to build a police force that truly serves and protects, one that embodies the principles of justice and respect for all individuals.

Police chiefs Tim Hoyt of New Hope, Scott Boerboom of Minnetonka, Erik Fadden of Plymouth and Dan Wills of Rogers sit on the executive board for the Hennepin County Chiefs of Police Association, which represents 34 law enforcement agencies across Hennepin County.