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After his controversial ousting from the Salt Lake City Police Department, Chris Burbank has a new job at a police research center.

The Center for Policing Equity announced Thursday that it is hiring Burbank as its new director of law enforcement engagement. The popular ex-chief will be responsible for "managing relationships with law enforcement partners, leading CPE's police review team, and extending the reach of the National Justice Database," which tracks police use of force, a CPE release reads.

During his nine-year tenure as Salt Lake City's police chief, Burbank was outspoken against police officers enforcing immigration laws, and lobbied against such proposals in the Utah Legislature.

"I have always been interested and engaged in changing the dialogue about law enforcement, both within police departments and between departments and the communities they serve," Burbank said Thursday in a statement. "This new position is an exciting opportunity to impact my profession in a meaningful way."

Mayor Ralph Becker forced Burbank to resign in June in the midst of a sexual-harassment case at Burbank's department.

Despite the center being headquartered in California, Burbank will remain in Salt Lake City for his role with the company.

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