"Acquitted Washington State Officers Resign After Ellis' Death, Receive $500K Each"

Three Washington state police officers acquitted in the death of Manuel Ellis, a Black man who was shocked, beaten, and restrained, will each receive $500,000 to leave the Tacoma Police Department. The officers were cleared of criminal charges in Ellis' 2020 death, and the city released copies of the "voluntary separation" agreements with the officers as the police chief announced findings that none violated the use-of-force policy in effect at the time. The officers' acquittal and subsequent payout have sparked controversy and criticism from the community and Ellis' family, with ongoing federal review of the case by the U.S. attorney's office in Seattle.