Chief Of Police Makes Final Decisions on the Three Tacoma Police Officers

Tacoma Police Officers Christopher Burbank, Matthew Collins, and Timothy Rankine have voluntarily agreed to leave their positions as the Tacoma Police Department undergoes significant policy reforms. Officer Collins was found to have violated the department's courtesy policy, while the other officers were cleared under the outdated Use of Force policy from 2020. The Chief of Police stated that the previous policy failed to support the best interests of the department and the community, guiding today's decisions. A comprehensive overhaul of the department's policies is underway, with support from Lexipol and the Community's Police Advisory Committee (CPAC), involving revisions to 30 policies and the completion of 10 more. The Chief acknowledged the historical negative effects of policing on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, offering both personal and collective apologies.

This commitment to accountability aims to foster a culture of inclusivity and pride among all stakeholders in the community. The ongoing transformation efforts reflect a concerted effort to address past shortcomings and enhance law enforcement practices. The department's leadership is focused on rebuilding trust and ensuring that policing policies align with community needs.