Manny Ellis’ Death Sparks Proposal To Ban Cops From Hog-Tying People In Washington State. Four years after Manny Ellis died in police custody, Washington state is still grieving. A bill to stop police from hog-tying offenders will be considered.
Law enforcement and the community have long fought over this restraint practice because to the perceived risk of suffocation.
” How do we enforce laws while respecting individuals as humans?” Yasmin Trudeau senator
The police hog-tying procedure has been discussed for decades. The U.S. Department of Justice advised against its use in 1995 to reduce suspect deaths in custody. The department advised discontinuing the practice, promoting alternate restraint tactics, and training correctional officers in them.
In 2022, the Washington attorney general warned against hog-tying despite this guidance. Police policy in at least four local agencies, including the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department that killed Manny Ellis, allow its usage.
Congresswoman Gina Mosbrucker said, ” If this kind of restraint for aggressive detainees is risky, the state should provide a grant and funds to buy and teach on alternate methods to protect the officer and the arrested.”
When Manny Ellis died in March 2020, Tacoma Officers Matthew Collins and Christopher Burbank were charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. A third officer, Timothy Rankine, was charged with manslaughter. The police claimed Ellis fought back, but video footage showed otherwise throughout the trial.
The plan to outlaw hog-tying is part of a larger police reform effort to reconsider harmful and obsolete techniques. This legislative attempt may create a precedent for other jurisdictions facing similar difficulties, emphasizing the necessity to balance law enforcement needs with human dignity and safety.
The Washington state proposal to abolish hog-tying is a response to Manny Ellis’ death and a start toward addressing law enforcement’s use of force and constraint.
The recommendation called for alternate restraint and intensive correctional officer training. Although advised, certain local agencies, such as the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, allow the practice.
The 2022 Washington attorney general’s recommendation against hog-tying highlights its ongoing worries. A statewide ban is gaining support, yet agencies still allow hog-tying, showing the difficulties of regulating police operations.
In the event that hog-tying is harmful, House public safety committee member Gina Mosbrucker suggests that the state fund alternate procedures and training. This position reflects a rising awareness of the need to equip law enforcement with effective tools while protecting officers and suspects.
The killing of Manny Ellis, which led to charges against three Tacoma policemen, has sparked debate about police accountability and reform. The trial showed video evidence that contradicted the police account, emphasizing the importance of objective recording in force-related situations.
Washington state’s response to the plan may affect national police reform discussions during the legislative process. Law enforcement’s difficult balance between law enforcement and dignity shows its complexity. This program may inspire other states facing similar issues, improving policing standards and accountability.
