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BIGGER PROBLEM
The root problem is not entirely the sheriffs, but the Sangamon County board's failure to adequately fund the sheriff's office ("Sonya Massey's father calls on Jack Campbell to resign," July 26). Deputies are underpaid and overworked.
After 35-plus years, I'm annexing into Springfield because the county leadership can't seem to understand we don't all live in a country setting, and we need a law enforcement agency that is available quickly and trained for urban policing. Protecting the public is No. 1. Cutting taxes is easy when you ignore the task at hand.
Scott Saunders
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
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NEED NEW LEADERSHIP
We need someone who will push for reform. Someone who will implement a system that tracks bad cops so they never get hired again. They also need to implement personal liability insurance requirements for cops so that the taxpayers don't have to pay for crimes committed while working in the name of the city or county. Someone who will expand training to help cops account for unexpected situations so that they aren't so scared all the time they want to shoot first and ask questions later.
Kate Jentree
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
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RACISM PERSISTS
When will racism end? Once again, the nation is faced with another killing of an African American by a policeman. However, this time it has happened in Springfield, Illinois, the home of our famous president, Abraham Lincoln. No community is exempt from racism playing out in their community, because it is rampant throughout the country and the world.
I have been a victim of racism many times in my life. However, I have suffered the most detrimental racism ever in my life living in central Illinois for the last 30 years. Some have asked me why I stay. I tell them, it is because the Lord God wants me here.
With the recent killing of Sonya Massey, this should bring some serious discussions in the Springfield community. I would like to suggest this happen with some new leaders in the community, not the same old ones that are always at the table. I would also suggest that this meeting be combined of all races of citizens, police officers, office holders, legal entities and clergy from all races. I'm willing to facilitate this meeting with others, if need be, to have some serious conversations on racism.
Finally, to answer the question of when racism will end, here is the answer – when Jesus returns.
Minister Gary T. Pierce, Key of David
Springfield
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ENACT CHANGE
I attended the July 29 listening session at Union Baptist Church and was planning to offer a suggestion, but time ran out. Allow me to present a recommendation here, although the initial idea was relayed to me by my mother at a kitchen conversation 45 years ago when she served as a police and fire commissioner for the Village of Wilmette in suburban Chicago.
Part of the vetting process that Wilmette police candidates submitted to back in the day was an interview with certified psychologists to help determine if they possessed a proper temperament for such a crucial job. Candidates could fail to make the cut after the psychological screening for a variety of reasons: displaying a short temper, a significant lack of empathy, a tendency to escalate tense situations, etc. I don't know exactly how these psychological evaluations were administered, but I do believe they worked, and most citizens would welcome their widespread adoption today.
Perhaps some larger area police departments already employ such testing; small departments undoubtedly don't have funding for such efforts. Could a regional panel of psychologists be made available to central Illinois law enforcement agencies (with each contributing something to the cost)? Perhaps the state of Illinois could offer this service to the numerous agencies.
Policing is a vital and difficult job. There are many, many good cops serving the public with distinction. Most police officers are decent people. I'm grateful for their service. It's the few bad apples that need to be weeded out from the beginning. Psychological testing as part of the vetting process could help identify both quality and questionable candidates.
Allow me to end by offering sincere condolences to the Massey family; the unprovoked and senseless killing of Sonya Massey has left an indelible stain on our city. Let's enact some significant changes in her memory.
Mike Lang
Sherman