Ferguson Police Chief Reportedly Set to Step Down (UPDATED)

CNN’s Evan Perez reported tonight that Ferguson police chief Thomas Jackson is expected to step down soon, and the announcement will come next week.

Jackson is apparently stepping down as an effort by local officials “to bring down some of the tensions there” and to show that no matter what the grand jury decides on charging Darren Wilson for killing Michael Brown, they really want to reform.

Perez told Don Lemon that this is “part of the effort there to keep the peace.” Jackson had apologized to Brown’s family and demonstrators, but when he tried to join protestors calling for him to resign, things got ugly quickly.

Watch the video below, via CNN:

UPDATE –– 10:30 p.m.: Jackson has already responded to CNN’s report by strongly denying it:

Chief Tom Jackson tells me he has not been fired nor has he resigned. He says @cnn reports are completely wrong

— Christine Byers (@ChristineDByers) October 29, 2014

Jackson said if he ever resigns it will be his decision

— Christine Byers (@ChristineDByers) October 29, 2014

UPDATE –– 10:38 p.m.: Ferguson Mayor James Knowles also disputed the report:

BREAKING: #Ferguson Mayor James Knowles tells reporters at council meeting tonight, Chief Jackson not resigning and he hasn't asked him to.

— Farrah Fazal (@FarrahFazal) October 29, 2014

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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