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The members of the Tacoma City Council and staff with the City Manager’s Office are committed to creating a more transparent, accountable, responsive model of public safety that reflects and aligns with our community.

The fundamental duty of law enforcement is to preserve and protect all human life. Officers shall respect and uphold the dignity of all persons and use their authority in a bias-free manner. The use of force consistent with this policy is essential to ensuring impartial policing, officer and public safety, and building trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Independent Criminal Investigations of Use of Deadly Force Incidents

Washington State Law requires any use of deadly force involving a police officer that also involves serious injury or death to be investigated by an independent agency.

The criminal investigations of use of deadly force incidents involving Tacoma Police Department (TPD) officers are typically done by the Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT). PCFIT is a team of detectives, forensic investigators, and public information officers from law enforcement agencies throughout Pierce County and from the Washington State Patrol who investigate use of deadly force incidents involving police officers. PCFIT operates under the independent investigation criteria set forth by Washington State Administrative Code 139-12-030 of the Law Enforcement Training & Community Safety Act.

In accordance with these standards, the City of Tacoma cannot investigate or interfere with an ongoing investigation or the integrity of an investigation into the use of deadly force by a Tacoma police officer.

Investigations into use of deadly force incidents involving police can take months to years to complete. Each investigation is unique and may require additional review of evidence or testimony by experts, which results in varying durations of the investigative process.

While state law provides for updates to the family of the deceased, it does not provide for the jurisdiction to receive updates during the investigation. With this in mind, the City of Tacoma strives to provide up-to-date publicly available information on the progress of PCFIT investigations into incidents involving TPD officers. Community members can also track the progress of investigations by going directly to the PCFIT web page maintained by Pierce County.

Active Investigations of Police Use of Deadly Force

Case Number: Case Number 23-220-01576

Date: August 8, 2023

Location: 9400 block of South D Street

Investigating Authority: Pierce County Force Investigation Team

Investigation Status: Open

Officers Involved: Not Yet Available

Press Releases by Investigating Authority:

PCFIT weekly press release updates – Case: 8/8/2023 – 9400 blk S D St

City of Tacoma Issued Press Releases and Statements:
N/A

Investigation Report:
Not Yet Available

Charging Decisions:
Not Yet Available

Administrative Review:
Not Yet Available

Case Number: Case Number 23-152-02536

Date: June 1, 2023

Location: 600 block of North Fife Street

Investigating Authority: Tacoma Police Department

Investigation Status: Open

Officers Involved:

  • Officer Abdirizak Ahmed, a 32-year-old male who has been with the department for 3 years.
  • Officer Mitchell Beymer, a 31-year-old male, a lateral officer with 2 years of prior law enforcement experience who has been with the department for 1 year.

City of Tacoma Issued Press Releases and Statements:

June 1, 2023 – Officer Involved Shooting – 600 block of North Fife Street

June 22, 2023 – Update to the June 1, 2023, Officer Involved Shooting – 600 block of North Fife Street

Investigation Report:
Not Yet Available

Charging Decisions:
Not Yet Available

Administrative Review:
Not Yet Available

Case Number: 22-271-02362

Date: September 28, 2022

Location: 800 block of Pacific Avenue

Investigating Authority: Tacoma Police Department

Investigation Status: Open

Officers Involved:

  • Officer Abdirizak Ahmed, a 31-year-old male who has been with the Tacoma Police Department for two years.
  • Officer Scott Hendershot, a 30-year-old male who has been with the Tacoma Police Department for four years.

Press Releases by Investigating Authority:

September 29, 2022

City of Tacoma Issued Press Releases and Statements:

Investigation Report:
Not Yet Available

Charging Decisions:
Not Yet Available

Administrative Review:
Pending completion of criminal investigation

Case Number: Case Number 22-365-1853

Date: December 31, 2022

Location: 3800 block of North Pearl Street

Investigating Authority: Tacoma Police Department

Investigation Status: Open

Officers Involved:

  • Officer Ira Stephens, a 52-year-old male who has been with the Tacoma Police Department for 28 years.

Press Releases by Investigating Authority:
December 31, 2022- Officer Involved Shooting – 3800 block of N. Pearl St.
January 19, 2023 – Video Report of Incident

Investigation Report:
Not Yet Available

Charging Decisions:
Not Yet Available

Administrative Review:
Not Yet Available

Cases will be updated upon the conclusion of the investigation and review of findings by the prosecuting authority.

* Information available on this web page is limited by Washington State Law.

Completed Investigations of Police Use of Deadly Force

Case Number: 20-246-00398

Date: September 2, 2020

Location: 4000 blk S D St

Investigating Authority: Pierce County Force Investigation Team

Investigation Status: Completed

Officers Involved:

  • Sergeant Brandon Mires, 37 years old with approximately 12 years with the department.
  • Police Patrol Specialist Sylvester Weaver, 61 years old with approximately 29 years with the department.
  • Officer Bret Terwilliger, 37 years old with approximately 13 years with the department.

Press Releases by Investigating Authority: 
Final Update Pierce County Force Investigation Team Press Release – August 5, 2021

City of Tacoma Issued Press Releases and Statements:
None available at this time.

Investigation Report:
South Sound 911 Investigation Report Record

Charging Decisions:
Pending Review by Prosecuting Authority

Administrative Review:
Pending completion of criminal investigation

Case Number: 22-046-01068

Date: February 15, 2022

Location: 8800 block of South Tacoma Way

Investigating Authority: Pierce County Force Investigation Team

Investigation Status: Completed

Officers Involved:

  • Officer Angel Castaneda, 26-year-old with approximately five years and three months on the department.

Press Releases by Investigating Authority:
April 26, 2022 – PCFIT Press Release PR 2-25, Final Weekly Update

Investigation Report:
Not Yet Available

Charging Decisions:
Not Yet Available

Administrative Review:
Pending completion of criminal investigation

Case Number: 22-075-01387

Date: March 16, 2022

Location: 4500 block of South Pine Street

Investigating Authority: Pierce County Force Investigation Team

Investigation Status: Completed

Officers Involved:

  • Officer Erika Haberzettl, 48 years old with approximately 20 years on the department
  • Officer Jared Levitt, 32 years old with approximately 4.5 years on the department

Press Releases by Investigating Authority:
06.06.2022 – PCFIT PR 3-16 Final Weekly Update

City of Tacoma Issued Press Releases and Statements:
March 16, 2022 – Officer Involved Shooting – 4500 block of S. Pine St. 

Investigation Report:
Incident Report

Charging Decisions:
Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office Charging Decision Letter

Administrative Review:
Pending completion of criminal investigation

Case Number: 22-240-01335

Date: August 28, 2022

Location: 6700 block of South Monroe Street

Investigating Authority: Pierce County Force Investigation Team

Investigation Status: Completed

Officers Involved:

  • Officer Jose Figueras
  • Officer Zachary Hobbs
  • Officer Christopher Munn

Press Releases by Investigating Authority:
January 26, 2023 – Final Weekly Release

City of Tacoma Issued Press Releases and Statements:

Investigation Report:
Not Yet Available

Charging Decisions:
Not Yet Available

Administrative Review:
Pending completion of criminal investigation

Case Number: 22-055-02293

Date: February 24, 2022

Location: 1100 block of South Dock Street

Investigating Authority: Pierce County Force Investigation Team

Investigation Status: Completed

Officers Involved:

  • Officer Emily Knutsen, a 27-year-old woman who has been with the Tacoma Police Department since 2019

Press Releases by Investigating Authority:
January 13, 2023 – PC FIT PR 2-25 Final Weekly Update

City of Tacoma Issued Press Releases and Statements:
None at this time

Investigation Report:
Not Yet Available

Charging Decisions:
Not Yet Available

Administrative Review:
Pending completion of criminal investigation

Case Number: 22-364-00286

Date: December 30, 2022

Location: 5700 block of East McKinley Avenue

Investigating Authority: Pierce County Force Investigation Team

Investigation Status: Completed

Officers Involved:

  • Officer Lucas Cole, a 37-year-old male who has been with the Tacoma Police Department for eight months.
  • Officer Truitt Hartle, a 32-year-old male who has been with Tacoma Police for 3 years and 3 months.
  • Officer Shawn Gustason, a 28-year-old male who has been with the Tacoma Police Department for 4 years and 6 months.

Press Releases by Investigating Authority:
PCFIT web page – scroll to 12/20/2022 – 5700 blk McKinley

City of Tacoma Issued Press Releases and Statements:
Officer Involved Shooting – E. 57 St. / McKinley Ave Case Number 22-364-00233 – December 30, 2022

Investigation Report:
Not Yet Available

Charging Decisions:
Not Yet Available

Administrative Review:
Pending completion of criminal investigation

Case Number: Case Number 24-009-01158

Date: January 9, 2024

Location: 4000 block of South Bell Street

Investigating Authority: Pierce County Force Investigation Team

Investigation Status: Completed

Officers Involved:

  • Officer Aaron McNeely, a 30-year-old male who has been with the Tacoma Police Department for 8 years.
  • Officer Scott Meffen, a 38-year-old male who has been with the Tacoma Police Department for 8 years. Officer Meffen previously worked for the Gainesville, FL Police Department for 9 years and 8 months.
  • Officer Ryan Warner, a 32-year-old male who has been with the Tacoma Police Department for 5 years.
  • Officer Derek Nielsen, a 50-year-old male who has been with the Tacoma Police Department for 1 year and 8 months. Officer Nielsen previously worked for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department for 7 years and 9 months.

Press Releases by Investigating Authority:
August 2, 2024 – PCFIT Final Weekly Press Release

City of Tacoma Issued Press Releases and Statements:
None at this time

Investigation Report:
Not Yet Available

Administrative Review:
Not Yet Available

Case Number: 20-063-02251

Date: March 3, 2020

Investigating Authority: Washington State Patrol

Investigation Status: Completed

Officers Involved:

  • Officer Christopher Burbank, a 34-year-old white male with approximately four and a half years on the department.
  • Officer Matthew Collins, a 37-year-old white male with approximately five years on the department.
  • Officer Masyih Ford, a 29-year-old black male who has been with the department two years and two months.
  • Officer Timothy Rankine, a 31-year-old Asian male who has been with the department 1 year and 10 months.
  • Officer Armando Farinas, 27 year-old male who has been with the department for 3 years and eight months.

Press Releases By Investigating Authority:

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – July 23, 2020

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – July 30, 2020

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – August 6, 2020

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team Seeks Witnesses – August 14, 2020

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – August 20, 2020

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – August 27, 2020

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – September 3, 2020

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – September 10, 2020

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – September 17, 2020

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – September 24, 2020

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – October 1, 2020

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – October 8, 2020

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – October 15, 2020

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – October 22, 2020

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – October 29, 2020

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – November 5, 2020

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – November 13, 2020

Update on Attorney General’s Office Review of Manuel Ellis’ Death – February 23, 2021

Update on Attorney General’s Office Review of Manuel Ellis’ Death – March 31, 2021

Update on Attorney General’s Office Review of Manuel Ellis’ Death – May 14, 2021

Attorney General’s Office to announce charging decision in review of Manuel Ellis’ death Thursday – May 25, 2021

AG Ferguson charges three officers in the killing of Manuel Ellis – May 27, 2021

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – March 11, 2022

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – March 18, 2022

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – March 25, 2022

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – April 1, 2022

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – September 14, 2023

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team – September 21, 2023

Washington State Patrol Independent Investigation Team: FINAL UPDATE – October 11, 2023

City of Tacoma Issued Press Releases and Statements:

Internal Affairs Investigation Records and Findings – Burbank, Collins, and Rankine: 

Officer Christopher Burbank:

Officer Matthew Collins:

Officer Timothy Rankine:

Internal Affairs Investigation – Full Report: Burbank, Collins, and Rankine

Other Associated Investigation Reports:

South Sound Investigation Report Record

Criminal Investigation Document

Case File – Ford REDACTED

Case File – Farinas REDACTED

Charging Decisions:

Officer Christopher Burbank

Officer Matthew Collins

Officer Timothy Rankine

Officer Masyih Ford – No Charges Filed

Officer Armando Farinas – No Charges Filed

Administrative Review:

Officer Masyih Ford – Within Policy

Officer Armando Farinas – Within Policy

Administrative Investigation Update:

November 16, 2021 – Recording Available

November 9, 2021 – No Update this week

November 2, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update

October 26, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update

October 19, 2021 – Recording available 

October 12, 2021 – No Update this Week

October 5, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update

September 28, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update

September 14, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update

August 31, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update

August 24, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update

August 17, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update

August 10, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update

August 3, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update 

July 27, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update 

July 20, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update

July 13, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update 

July 6, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update

June 29, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update

June 22, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update

June 15, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update

June 7, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update

June 1, 2021 – Administrative Investigation Update

Case Number: 21-023-01337

Date: January 23, 2021

Investigating Authority: Pierce County Force Investigation Team

Investigation Status: Completed

Officers Involved: Officer Khanh Phan, a 58-year-old male with 29.5 years on the department.

Press Releases by Investigating Authority:

Final Update PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 8-19-2021 

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 8-13-2021

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 8-6-2021 

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 7-29-2021

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 7-22-2021  

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 7-15-2021  

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 7-7-2021   

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 7-1-2021  

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 6-24-2021 

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 6-18-2021

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 6-11-2021

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 6-4-2021

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 5-28-2021

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 5-20-2021

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 5-13-2021

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 5-6-2021

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 4-27-2021

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 4-16-2021 

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 4-2-2021

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 3-25-2021

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 3-19-2021

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 3-10-2021

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 3-5-2021

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 2-26-2021 

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 2-19-2021

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 2-16-2021 

PCFIT Press Release for TPD vs Pedestrian 2-5-2021 

PCFIT TPD Vehicle vs Pedestrian Press Release 1-24-2021

City of Tacoma Issued Press Releases and Statements:

Investigation Report:
South Sound 911 Investigation Report Record

Charging Decisions:
No Criminal Charges Filed

Administrative Review:
Administratively Closed

Case Number: 20-226-00088

Date: August 13, 2020

Investigating Authority: Lakewood Police Department and Washington State Patrol

Investigation Status: Completed

Officers Involved: Officer Nathan Reetz, 34 year old with approximately 2.5 years on the department.

Press Releases by Investigating Authority:

Lakewood Police Press Release – August 13, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – August 20, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – August 27, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – September 3, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – September 10, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – September 17, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – September 24, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – October 1, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – October 9, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – October 15, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – October 22, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – October 29, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – November 4, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – November 10, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – November 19, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – November 25, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – December 4, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – December 10, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – December 17, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – December 24, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – December 31, 2020

Lakewood Police Press Release – January 7, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – January 14, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – January 21, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – January 28, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – February 4, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – February 11, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – February 18, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – February 25, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – March 4, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – March 11, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – March 18, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – March 25, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – April 1, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – April 8, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – April 15, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – April 22, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – April 29, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – May 6, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – May 13, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – May 20, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – May 27, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – June 3, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – June 10, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – June 17, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – June 24, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – July 1, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – July 8, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – July 15, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – July 22, 2021

Lakewood Police Press Release – July 29, 2021

Final Update Lakewood Police Press Release – August 5, 2021

City of Tacoma Issued Press Releases and Statements:
None available at this time.

Investigation Report:
South Sound 911 Investigation Report Record  

Charging Decisions:
Pierce County Prosecuting Decision

Administrative Review:
Within Policy

Case Number: 19-194-00316

Date: July 13, 2019

Investigating Authority: Tacoma Police Department

Investigation Status: Completed

Officers Involved:

  • Officer C. Martin
  • Officer E. Allman
  • Officer J. Correa
  • Officer W. Gustason

Press Releases by Investigating Authority:
None available at this time.

City of Tacoma Issued Press Releases and Statements:
A Statement From Mayor Victoria Woodards on Recent Decisions by Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office – August 19, 2020

Investigation Report:
South Sound 911 Investigation Report Record

Charging Decisions:
Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Decision

Administrative Review:
Within Policy

Case Number: 19-251-00213

Date: Sept. 8, 2019

Investigating Authority: Pierce County Sheriff’s Office

Investigation Status: Completed

Officers Involved: Officer Ryan Bradley, a 33-year-old white male with approximately four years on the department.

Press Releases by Investigating Authority:
None available at this time.

City of Tacoma Issued Press Releases and Statements:
Police News Release: Update on Officer Involved Shooting – Sept. 13, 2019
A Statement From Mayor Victoria Woodards on Recent Decisions by Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office – August 19, 2020

Investigation Report:
South Sound 911 Investigation Report Record

Charging Decisions:
Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Decision 

Administrative Review:
Within Policy

Case Number: 19-183-02031

Date: July 2, 2019

Investigation Status: Completed

Officers Involved: Officer Komarovsky

Press Releases by Investigating Authority:
None available at this time.

City of Tacoma Issued Press Releases and Statements:
None available at this time.

Investigation Report:
South Sound 911 Investigation Report Record

Charging Decisions:
No Criminal Charges Filed

Administrative Review:
Within Policy

Additional Case Information

More individual case information is directly available from the Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT) web page.
PCFIT web page

More on TPD Accountability & Transparency

Learn more about the Tacoma Police Department’s Plan for Improved Accountability and Transparency on TPD’s Policing Accountability & Transparency web page
Policing Accountability & Transparency web page

Officer Involved Shootings in Tacoma – Open Data Map

For more information on Police Involved Shootings, visit the map web page, which is updated quarterly.
Go to Open Data Map

TPD’s Body Worn Camera Program

Learn more about the City's Body Worn Camera (BWC) Program. 
Learn More

Requests for Body Worn Camera Footage

To request Body Worn Camera footage, please submit a public disclosure request(s).
Make a Request

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