Ferguson police chief Thomas Jackson resigns after report

US justice department found widespread racial bias in city’s police department

The resignation of Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson follows a scathing Justice Department report on abuses within the police department. Video: Reuters

The police chief of Ferguson, Missouri, has resigned following a scathing US justice department report that found widespread racially-biased abuses in the city's police department and municipal court.

The resignation of Chief Thomas Jackson, which the city announced in a brief statement, is the latest in a string of departures since the findings of the justice department probe were announced on March 4th.

Protesters had been calling for Mr Jackson's removal since the fatal shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown by a white Ferguson police officer on August 9th, 2014. The killing triggered protests in cities around the US and widespread complaints of the mistreatment of black Americans by police.

Eyewitness footage from Ferguson, Missouri of the moment two police officers were shot and the resulting panic on the streets.

Neither a grand jury proceeding nor the federal probe led to any charges against Darren Wilson, the officer involved in the shooting.

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Mr Jackson's departure follows that of Ferguson city manager John Shaw, who resigned on Tuesday, and municipal judge Ronald Brockmeyer, who quit on Monday. Three other employees of the police department and municipal court left their jobs last week due to the justice department report.

Mr Jackson has commanded the police department since he was appointed by the city manager in 2010. The department has a total of 54 sworn officers, divided among several divisions.

His departure is effective from March 19th.

Reuters