Officer acquitted in death of Manuel Ellis hired by neighboring sheriff’s office

Former Tacoma officer Christopher Burbank, acquitted of murder in the 2020 death of Manuel Ellis, a Black man who died while being restrained by police, has been hired by the Thurston County Sheriff's Office in Washington. Despite an ongoing federal investigation and pending civil rights violations and wrongful death lawsuit, Burbank was hired as a patrol deputy. The officers involved were cleared of criminal charges by a jury, claiming Ellis died from methamphetamine and heart condition, not their actions. The hiring has caused distress to Ellis's family and raised concerns about Burbank's use of force during the incident. The sheriff's office cited understaffing as a reason for the hire and emphasized transparency through body cameras and mental health co-responders. The case highlights issues of police accountability and rehiring practices in law enforcement agencies across the country.

Go to original article source