This article is from the archive of our partner .

Update, 12:44 pm: During a brief press conference, Gov. Nixon stopped short of confirming that the St. Louis County Police Department was being removed from Ferguson, but said that he was working with officials on changes. Nixon promised that residents would see "a much better and much different tone," and to expect an official announcement at 3:00 pm local time. "We're working through an operational shift," Nixon said. "I think you all will see a different tone."

The governor was also critical of the police department's response to the protest, and said "there is a fear to hear" how the protests "fit into a broader and deeper context of a longer march to justice."

Original post: Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is expected to announce that the St. Louis County Police Department will be "taken out of the situation," Rep. Lacy Clay said, according to Bloomberg's Jonathan Allen. The governor didn't specify whether the FBI, state police, or another group would take over control of the situation.

Bloomberg: Missouri Gov. Nixon to announce St. Louis County police being taken out of situation. per Rep. Clay (D-Mo.). — Jonathan Allen (@jonallendc) August 14, 2014

According to Clay, the governor is on his way to the city now:

Clay: "The gov. just called me and he's on his way to St. Louis now to announce he's taking St. Louis County police out of the situation" — Derek Wallbank (@dwallbank) August 14, 2014

Meanwhile, according to Joel Currier at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, this is news to the police department as well:

St. Louis Co police say they are not aware of reports that they are being relieved of duty in #Ferguson probe. #MikeBrown — joelcurrier (@joelcurrier) August 14, 2014

The St. Louis Police Department, which has been running events on the ground with the Ferguson Police Department, has received severe criticism for its handling of the situation, for both its overly militaristic response to protesters and its arrests and attacks against the press. Police also fired tear gas at an Al Jazeera America film crew last night, then dismantled their equipment.