IACP Statement on the Death of Sonya Massey
While the facts are still being gathered, and the former deputy is entitled to due process, the killing of Sonya Massey was a devastating and avoidable tragedy.
The shooting again underscores the critical need for police agencies to thoroughly vet potential hires. The pattern and nature of frequent job changes by a police officer should raise flags about their suitability for the policing profession.
This is why the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) strongly supports increased funding for, and mandatory participation by every state, in the National Decertification Index managed by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST). A national police officer decertification database will aid police agencies in making informed hiring decisions. By utilizing the officer decertification database, agencies can identify individuals who have been previously decertified or have a history of misconduct, thereby preventing them from being rehired in other jurisdictions. This proactive measure works to provide context around those applicants who may not be aligned with your agency’s values and community’s expectations.
It is imperative that all police agencies adopt stringent hiring practices to prevent similar tragedies in the future and to enhance public trust in the justice system.