
U.S. Congressman Steve Cohen brings back bill to add police training in response to the death of Sonya Massey in Illinois.
By: Melisa Cabello Cuahutle
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In response to the deathly shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who was shot in the face by an Illinois sheriff’s deputy after she called 911 for help, Congressman Steve Cohen (D) reintroduced on Friday an act that would require sensitivity and racial bias training at law enforcement academies.
The Police Training and Independent Review Act, would require training on ethics, cultural diversity and racial bias as well as coaching on law enforcement interaction with the people with disabilities, immigrants and with mental health crises. The act would also require independent investigations in addition to the prosecution of law enforcement officers in cases similar to Massey’s where the alleged offenses involve a law enforcement officer using deadly force while on duty.
“The recent killing of Sonya Massey inside her home near Springfield, Illinois, has brought renewed attention to how too many police encounters turn deadly,” said Cohen in a statement.
In the Senate, a companion measure was introduced by Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).
The sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot Massey, Sean Grayson, was charged with the murder of 36-year-old Massey and he had originally joined the sheriff’s department in Sangamon County in May 2023. Records show before his hiring Grayson had previously disciplinary problems including drunken driving convictions and deterrents from previous employers.
“In my community, the death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of the Memphis police prompted protests and prosecutions,” said Cohen. “The names of Sonya Massey and Tyre Nichols have been added to the infamous injustice perpetrated against Philando Castille, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice and Alton Sterling: all individuals who were killed during interactions with law enforcement. And those are just the cases that made national news.”
The bill was originally introduced in 2018 by Cohen and then Congressman William Lacy Clay (D-MO), it was also introduced in the senate by Duckworth, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and then Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA).
“It is imperative that we address implicit bias and help to create bonds of trust between police and the communities they serve. It will save lives,” said now Vice President Harris, back in 2019.
At the time, the NAACP supported the legislation, saying it will help restore trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
After it’s original introduction, the act was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security where it died.
“To regain the trust of the people, we must ensure that our law enforcement officers have the proper training and the justice system treats all equally,” said Cohen on Friday.