The Acquittal of Tacoma Officers Raises Questions About Washington’s Police Accountability Law
The acquittal of three Tacoma police officers in the 2020 death of Manuel Ellis, a Black man, has brought Washington state’s police accountability law under scrutiny. The law, known as Initiative 940 (I-940), was passed by voters in 2018 to make it easier to prosecute police accused of wrongful use of deadly force.
The acquittal of the officers – Matthew Collins, Christopher Burbank, and Timothy Rankine – in the death of Ellis following a nearly three-month trial raised questions about the effectiveness of I-940. The trial was the first to be held under the five-year-old law, and it ended in their acquittal on various murder and manslaughter charges.
Matthew Ericksen, a lawyer for the Ellis family, expressed disappointment in the law’s failure to bring about independent investigations of in-custody deaths and other instances of police use of force as required by I-940. He stated, “The law was violated, and in many ways, there really haven’t been any consequences for that.”
The initial investigation into Ellis’ death by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office was criticized for failing to disclose critical information, in violation of the state law. The case was eventually taken over by the Washington State Patrol and the Attorney General’s Office, leading to the charges against the officers.
Ericksen emphasized the importance of enforcing I-940 despite the challenges presented in the Ellis case. He said, “We’re better off having I-940 than not.”
Despite the disappointment in the outcome of the trial, other police reform advocates noted that the case going to trial was a significant change resulting from I-940. The law removed a requirement that prosecutors prove officers acted with malice. Another Washington state officer is currently awaiting trial on a murder charge brought after I-940.
The lawyers for the acquitted officers argued that their clients acted in good faith and were relieved by the verdict. Anne Bremner, who represented one of the officers, stated that dropping the malice requirement for prosecution was generally viewed as unwelcome by law enforcement officers.
State Senator Yasmin Trudeau, a Tacoma Democrat, acknowledged that the law on its own does not guarantee accountability but provides “the opportunity to make the case for accountability” in court. She highlighted recent laws that have strengthened the framework of police accountability in the state.
The acquittal of the Tacoma officers has sparked discussions about the effectiveness of police accountability laws and the need for reform in law enforcement practices to engender public trust.
Overall, the Ellis case has highlighted the challenges and opportunities presented by Washington’s police accountability law, as the state seeks to address systematic issues in law enforcement and ensure that officers are held accountable for their actions.