<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3TaGfq_0uz8nRTr00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3TaGfq_0uz8nRTr00" width="1320" height="743" >On Tuesday, the Sangamon County Board met for the first time since the aftermath of Sonya Massey’s death, and dozens of speakers at public comment demanded changes to law enforcement.From more funding to stricter procedures, they wanted measures to prevent a death like Sonya Massey’s from happening again.“To address this we must scrutinize and analyze the financial decisions of our law enforcement agencies," said Breonna Roberts, a Springfield resident.Some speakers called for more funding for mental health counselors to go on first responder calls with deputies and more training for de escalation programs for deputies dealing with peopleSangamon County democrat Sam Cahnman agreed, as well as Republican board member Andy Van Meter.Cahnman said changes to the budget, such as cuts to other expenses, may need to happen."We need more mental health training," said Cahnamn. "We need more publicity about this, 988, number.Some speakers wanted tougher background checks when hiring deputies.They criticized Sangamon County for hiring Sean Grayson, who had documented allegations of police misconduct at previous employers. The Sheriff's Office said they weren’t aware of those situations before they hired him.“It's probably a question that has to be dealt with at the state level, that needs to be some sort of law or some sort of clearance system for the background on these other deputies," said Van Meter."Would there be an in-house [Sheriff's Office] policy where you would want the Sheriff to FOIA request on his own so you can see that," I asked Van Meter about the next Sheriff requesting a deputy's disciplinary documents from previous employers."Again, that's that's really an issue for the sheriff to decide, but clearly we have to do something to improve information we have," Van Meter said.Van Meter says he's looked at how Minneapolis and other cities reformed their law enforcement agencies after cases of police brutality"What we've learned so far is that the process isn't quick," he said. "There aren't quick answers here. It takes, it takes a lot of listening, and it takes a very transparent process.Sheriff Jack Campbell announced he is retiring by August 31st. The Sangamon County Board will have 60 days from his retirement to find an interim replacement.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Calls for increased mental health training and stricter hiring practices dominate meeting

On Tuesday, the Sangamon County Board met for the first time since the aftermath of Sonya Massey’s death, and dozens of speakers at public comment demanded changes to law enforcement. From more funding to stricter procedures, they wanted measures to prevent a death like Sonya Massey’s from happening again....