Police groups say it’s time to ‘move forward together’ after Tacoma police trial verdict

Some Washington state police groups say it’s time to heal after a Pierce County jury acquitted three Tacoma officers accused of killing Manuel Ellis, a 33-year-old Black man, in 2020.

Advocates for law enforcement were feeling positive on Friday after a jury found the three Tacoma Police officers not guilty on all charges.

RELATED: 3 Tacoma police officers found not guilty in 2020 death of Manny Ellis

Ellis died during a struggle with police while walking home in Tacoma in 2020. His death was ruled a homicide. Defense attorneys for the officers argued that Ellis died from a heart condition.

Shortly after the verdict was announced, the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs posted on Facebook: “We celebrate the acquittal of our Tacoma Police Union members today. This has been a heavy burden for them to bear. We pray for their healing and healing for the profession statewide.”

Marco Monteblanco, president of the Washington State Fraternal Order of Police, told KUOW in an interview that he thinks the three officers faced a fair trial.

“The officers received due process through the judicial system and we've got to trust that,” Monteblanco said. “That's what it's there for. I mean, it's not perfect but it's what we have.”

On Thursday night, a group of rallied in Tacoma in protest to the jury’s decision. Members of Ellis’ family were there, too.

Monteblanco said he knows the verdict is upsetting to some people, but it’s time now for Tacoma to unite.

“It's very very crucial that we move forward together as a community, work with our communities, and build relationships of trust,” he said.

Tacoma’s police chief will now decide if any disciplinary action should be taken against the officers.

The Ellis family's attorney said they will look into bringing a civil suit and possibly a federal lawsuit against the city and the officers.