(The Center Square) – Three Tacoma police officers who were acquitted of criminal charges in the 2020 death of Manuel Ellis have resigned, with each receiving $500,000 from the city.
City Manager Elizabeth Pauli announced that former Tacoma police officers Christopher Burbank, Matthew Collins and Timothy Rankine had entered into a voluntary resignation agreement with the city.
“These agreements support a responsible, constructive path forward for our community and the Tacoma Police Department,” Pauli said in a Tuesday statement. “With faith in our city’s enduring resilience and strength, I acknowledge that healing throughout Tacoma will require time, open dialogue, and shared respect.”
The voluntary resignation agreement for each officer found they separated in good standing.
On March 3, 2020, Collins and Burbank observed Ellis attempting to enter into a vehicle that was in an intersection. During the contact, the officers struggled to take Ellis into custody. Ellis died during the confrontation, with the Pierce County Medical Examiner finding that his death was caused by “hypoxia due to physical restraint.”
Other significant conditions noted in the report were methamphetamine intoxication and dilated cardiomyopathy. The manner of death was classified as homicide.
The state Attorney General’s Office charged Collins and Burbank with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter, while Rankine was charged with first-degree manslaughter. The three officers were found not guilty of all charges in December.
According to Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore, the officers were cleared of charges based on 2020 policies except for a sustained finding regarding Collins’ violation of the Tacoma Police Department’s policy on courtesy.
The internal affairs investigation reviewed footage of the incident and discovered that Collins told Ellis to “shut the f— up” after “I can’t breathe sir, I can’t breathe” is heard.
Collins did not recall telling Ellis to “shut the f– up,” according to the investigation.
“The use-of-force policy in place in March of 2020 failed to serve the best interests of the police department or the community,” Moore said. ”That policy has since been superseded by a new policy.”
Moore added that the Tacoma Police Department has currently seen 30 use-of-force policies undergo revision, with 10 nearing completion.
