Ferguson, Mo., police chief resigns

Yamiche Alcindor | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Ferguson police chief resigns in light of DOJ report Ferguson Mayor James Knowles announced the resignation of Tom Jackson, the city's police chief, in what he hopes will be a big step in helping the community move forward.

Embattled Ferguson, Mo., Police Chief Thomas Jackson, whose department received scathing criticism from the Justice Department for racially biased policing, will resign March 19, city officials said Wednesday.

Jackson, 57, becomes the third top city official to leave following the Justice Department's investigation that found systemic racial bias by police and court officials. Judge Ronald Brockmeyer and City Manager John Shaw resigned earlier this week.

Lt. Col. Al Eickhoff will serve ask acting chief until the city completes a nationwide search for a new police chief, the city said in a press release. Jackson will receive a severance payment of approximately $100,000 and health insurance for one year.

That Justice Department's review found the Ferguson Police Department engaged in a broad pattern of racially biased enforcement that permeated the city's justice system, including the use of unreasonable force against African American suspects. The report also criticized the city's municipal court system.

Brittany Packnett, 30, executive director of Teach For America St. Louis, who helped organize protests in Ferguson after a white police officer shot Michael Brown, 18, an unarmed black man, said she's encouraged to see months of demands for accountability met with personnel changes. But Ferguson and other cities must take more substantial steps to address systemic problems and show they are "serious about justice and fairness," she said.

Ferguson should "comb through the recommendations" from the Justice Department until it has met every requirement and recommendation, she said.

Ferguson Mayor James Knowles said the police chief made the decision to leave.

"He felt this was the best way forward," Knowles said. "He is and has been committed to making sure Ferguson keeps the police department."

Knowles described Jackson's severance as being in line with what private industries would offer executives. Jackson will stay on the force until March 19 to help the department transition.

Knowles added that he and city officials believe they can keep the Ferguson Police Department intact despite calls from some to dismantle it. The mayor said Ferguson looks to become an example of how a community moves forward in the face of adversity.

He also said that he is committed to keeping his role and that along with city council members he will work to implement recommendations by the Justice Department.

"Somebody is going to have to be here to run the show," Knowles said in response to a question about whether he would step down as mayor. "We cannot have everybody just up and leave."

Missouri Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, who represents the city in the state legislature, welcomed the resignation.

"I'm elated," she said. "We have been waiting for him to go for months and he was so hardheaded about leaving. He put his personal interests before Ferguson and the region."