Today, Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee ordered the Washington State Patrol (WSP) to begin a new investigation into the death of Manuel Ellis while in custody of the Tacoma Police Department.
Inslee directed WSP Chief John Batiste to immediately begin collecting records from the Pierce County Sheriff’s office and forming the investigative team called for under the police review law created by Initiative 940.
After the patrol concludes its investigation, the case will be referred to the Office of the Attorney General for review for possible criminal charges against the officers involved.
The investigation had been undertaken by the Pierce County Sheriff rather than Tacoma Police Department because I-940 prohibits police agencies from investigating themselves.
The state patrol expects that the investigative team will be formed and community members and family liaison appointed soon and work will begin on the new investigation by the end of next week.