“I’m also sorry that it took so long to remove Michael from the street,” he said. “The time that it took involved very important work on the part of investigators who are trying to collect evidence and gain a true picture of what happened that day. But it was just too long, and I’m truly sorry for that.”

He continued, “Please know that the investigating officers meant no disrespect to the Brown family, to the African-American community or the people of Canfield. They were simply trying to do their jobs.”

Speaking on behalf of the Brown family, attorney Anthony Gray said the apology comes at a time when trust in the chief “has reached an irreversible low.”

“It is nearly impossible to measure any reach of his apology at this time,” Gray said in an email. “Most observers, I believe, are locked into their opinions about the handling of the shooting of this unarmed teen. Dynamite, much less an apology, will do little, in my opinion to move anyone off their opinions at this point.”

Gray said the Brown family will continue praying that “peace, calm and justice will prevail.”