This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-31843626
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Ferguson police chief Tom Jackson quits | Ferguson police chief Tom Jackson quits |
(35 minutes later) | |
After a federal report alleged widespread racial bias in his department, the police chief of Ferguson, Missouri, has agreed to resign. | |
Ferguson came under investigation after a white police officer killed an unarmed black teenager in August, sparking weeks of unrest. | |
Several other Ferguson officials have stepped down in wake of the report. | |
US authorities have vowed to reform the force, possibly dismantling it. | |
Thomas Jackson had resisted calls from protesters and some state leaders to step down, after the shooting of Michael Brown and the weeks of demonstrations that followed. | |
The city said it would be giving Mr Jackson a severance payment and would pay for his health insurance for one year. | The city said it would be giving Mr Jackson a severance payment and would pay for his health insurance for one year. |
The resignation is effective on 19 March at which time an acting chief will assume the role. | The resignation is effective on 19 March at which time an acting chief will assume the role. |
The St Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper has posted what it said was Mr Jackson's resignation letter. | The St Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper has posted what it said was Mr Jackson's resignation letter. |
"It has been an honour and a privilege to serve this great city and to serve with all of you," the letter reads. | "It has been an honour and a privilege to serve this great city and to serve with all of you," the letter reads. |
The city said that it will conduct a "nationwide search" for a permanent replacement. | The city said that it will conduct a "nationwide search" for a permanent replacement. |
Mr Jackson has led the department since 2010. | |
The police force had three black officers, despite the fact that the city of 21,000 people was predominately black. | |
The shooting in August drew international attention, and Mr Jackson's handling of the situation drew widespread criticism. | |
Elected leaders including US Senator Claire McCaskill and other state officials pressured the city's mayor to force Mr Jackson's resignation. | |
Last week, the US Department of Justice released a report that accused the city of using the police force and court system to generate profit. | Last week, the US Department of Justice released a report that accused the city of using the police force and court system to generate profit. |
It found that black motorists were more than twice as likely as others to face searches during traffic stops and were more likely to be subject to excessive force from police. | |
Since the report was released, the city manager, a judge, two police officers, and a court clerk have either resigned or been fired. | Since the report was released, the city manager, a judge, two police officers, and a court clerk have either resigned or been fired. |