Ferguson Police Chief Resigns After Damning Justice Report

Updated: March 11, 2015 7:09 PM [ET] | Originally published: March 11, 2015 4:54 PM EDT;

The police chief of Ferguson announced Wednesday he is resigning his post, after the fatal shooting of an unarmed black 18-year-old resulted in an excoriating Justice Department report on his department.

Thomas Jackson submitted his resignation letter on Wednesday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. “I believe this is the appropriate thing to do at this time,” Jackson told the newspaper. “This city needs to move forward without any distractions.”

Ferguson Mayor James Knowles said at a news conference on Wednesday that Jackson and the city had agreed to a “mutual separation” that will take effect on March 19. Jackson will receive severance payment and health insurance for one year.

“He felt that this was the best forward, not only for the city but for the men and women serving under him,” Knowles said.

The Department of Justice issued a report last week that found systemic racial bias in Ferguson’s police department as well as a court system driven by profits. The report cited racial profiling by police officers and alleged that the court system functioned as a money-making enterprise that targeted the poor and minorities.

Protestors and some of Missouri’s top elected leaders had previously called on Jackson to step down from his post as police chief in the St. Louis suburb for his handling of the August shooting of teenager Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson. The shooting provoked days of often violent unrest in Ferguson, and inspired protests across the U.S.

Two police officers, a court clerk, the municipal judge and the city manager have either been fired or resigned since the shooting.

[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]

Witness the Aftermath of 2 Police Shot in Ferguson

Police officers stand on alert during a protests outside the Ferguson Police Department on March 11, 2015 in Ferguson, Mo. Michael B. Thomas—Getty Images

A protester chants in front of a flag which reads, "Racism lives here", outside the City of Ferguson Police Department and Municipal Court in Ferguson, March 11, 2015.Kate Munsch—Reuters

Police arrests a protestor outside the City of Ferguson Police Department and Municipal Court in Ferguson, March 11, 2015.Kate Munsch—Reuters

Protestors hold signs during a protest outside the Ferguson Police Department on March11, 2015 in Ferguson. — Protestors hold signs during a protest outside the Ferguson Police Department on March 11, 2015 in Ferguson.Michael B. Thomas—Getty Images

Police officers respond to a fellow officer hit by gunfire outside the Ferguson Police Headquarters in Ferguson, Mo. on March 12, 2014.Lawrence Bryant—St. Louis American/Reuters

Two officers shot — Police take cover after two officers were shot while standing guard in front of the Ferguson Police Station on Thursday, March 12, 2015. Laurie Skrivan—AP

Police mobilize in the parking lot of the Ferguson Police Station after two police officers were shot while standing guard in front of the Ferguson Police Station, March 12, 2015. Laurie Skrivan—St Louis Post Dispatch/Polaris

Paramedics load one of two police officer who were shot while standing guard in front of the Ferguson Police Station during a protest on March 12, 2015. Laurie Skrivan—St Louis Post Dispatch/Polaris

APTOPIX Killings by Police Ferguson — Police shine a light on a helmet as they investigate the scene where two police officers were shot outside the Ferguson Police Department Thursday, March 12, 2015, in Ferguson, Mo.Jeff Roberson—AP

Police guard the corner off Adams Street and South Florissant Rd after two officers were shot while standing guard in front of the Ferguson Police Station on March 12, 2015. Laurie Skrivan—St Louis Post Dispatch/Polaris

Ferguson Police Chief Resigns After Damning Justice Dept. Report

Witness the Aftermath of 2 Police Shot in Ferguson

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