Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – New Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch is facing a significant challenge, according to Jessica Pishko, author of “The Highest Law in the Land.” “When you come in as a new sheriff, you can’t just fire everybody. You have to get people to support you,” Pishko said, noting that being a woman adds to the difficulty.

Pishko, who is aware of the Sonya Massey shooting by a Sangamon County deputy, explained that new sheriffs often find it challenging to navigate entrenched office cultures. “She’s coming in tasked with the job of building relationships with both the community and within the office,” Pishko added.

A journalist and lawyer, Pishko has researched the power of sheriffs and its implications for American democracy. Her book discusses the constitutional sheriff movement, where some sheriffs align with former President Donald Trump’s GOP and may have connections to the Oath Keepers and the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. These sheriffs, she said, believe they have the authority to decide which laws are constitutional, often refusing to enforce gun and environmental regulations, while opposing IRS taxes and resisting cooperation with the FBI.

Jack Campbell, who retired as Sangamon County Sheriff on Aug. 31, joined more than 70 other sheriffs in Illinois stating he would not enforce the assault weapons ban required by the Protect Illinois Communities Act, signed into law on Jan. 10, 2023. “It’s essentially undemocratic because the sheriffs who oppose the legislation don’t represent the people who voted in the state officials who put the assault weapons ban in place,” said Pishko.

New Sheriff Paula Crouch stated at Wednesday’s Sangamon County Board meeting, where she was sworn in, that she would enforce state laws, including the assault weapons ban. Crouch comes to the department with more than 24 years’ experience at the Springfield Police Department.

Pishko noted that the constitutional sheriff movement often gains momentum when gun regulations are introduced. The Illinois Sheriff’s Association filed an amicus brief opposing the weapons ban, which Pishko found notable given that law enforcement officers traditionally support limiting civilian firearm access for safety reasons.

The brief filed by the ISA, purports that peace officers of Illinois are dedicated to protecting citizens by enforcing laws while respecting the rights of law-abiding individuals. Essentially, it says officers can’t enforce the law, because it violates the Second Amendment.

Pishko stated sheriffs should focus on improving policing, public safety, and community relations rather than opposing weapons bans.