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Ferguson police chief to Michael Brown’s family: ‘I’m truly sorry’ Ferguson police chief to Michael Brown’s family: ‘I’m truly sorry’
(35 minutes later)
The police chief of Ferguson, Mo., apologized Thursday to the family of Michael Brown, saying he was “truly sorry” for the 18-year-old’s death last month.The police chief of Ferguson, Mo., apologized Thursday to the family of Michael Brown, saying he was “truly sorry” for the 18-year-old’s death last month.
“No one who has not experienced the loss of a child can understand what you’re feeling,” Police Chief Thomas Jackson said in a videotaped apology that aired on CNN. “I’m truly sorry for the loss of your son. I’m also sorry that it took so long to remove Michael from the street.”“No one who has not experienced the loss of a child can understand what you’re feeling,” Police Chief Thomas Jackson said in a videotaped apology that aired on CNN. “I’m truly sorry for the loss of your son. I’m also sorry that it took so long to remove Michael from the street.”
Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was shot and killed by white Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9. It took about four hours for his body to be removed from Canfield Drive.Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was shot and killed by white Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9. It took about four hours for his body to be removed from Canfield Drive.
“The time that it took involved very important work on the part of investigators who were trying to collect evidence and gain a true picture of what happened that day,” Jackson said. “But it was just too long, and I’m truly sorry for that. Please know that the investigating officers meant no disrespect to the Brown family, to the African American community, or the people of Canfield. They were simply trying to do their jobs.”“The time that it took involved very important work on the part of investigators who were trying to collect evidence and gain a true picture of what happened that day,” Jackson said. “But it was just too long, and I’m truly sorry for that. Please know that the investigating officers meant no disrespect to the Brown family, to the African American community, or the people of Canfield. They were simply trying to do their jobs.”
When asked about the four-hour delay at a forum last month, Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III said that authorities were trying to avoid the appearance of the cover-up or an improper investigation.When asked about the four-hour delay at a forum last month, Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III said that authorities were trying to avoid the appearance of the cover-up or an improper investigation.
“It was a crime scene that had to be investigated by a third party,” said Knowles, who told the crowd that he had not yet “had an opportunity” to apologize to Brown’s family.“It was a crime scene that had to be investigated by a third party,” said Knowles, who told the crowd that he had not yet “had an opportunity” to apologize to Brown’s family.
A phone message left for a Ferguson spokesman was not immediately returned, nor was an email sent Thursday morning.A phone message left for a Ferguson spokesman was not immediately returned, nor was an email sent Thursday morning.
The death of Brown sparked unrest in the St. Louis suburb, where protesters gathered and were met with police in riot gear. Those tactics were widely criticized in the weeks that followed, and local law enforcement agencies are now under review for their policies and procedures.The death of Brown sparked unrest in the St. Louis suburb, where protesters gathered and were met with police in riot gear. Those tactics were widely criticized in the weeks that followed, and local law enforcement agencies are now under review for their policies and procedures.
The police chief also apologized to those who protested peacefully in Ferguson and said he was “aware of the pain and feeling of distrust” that some residents had for local law enforcement. “I do want to say to any peaceful protester who did not feel that I did enough to protect their constitutional right to protest, I am sorry for that,” Jackson said. “The right of the people to peacefully assemble is what the police are here to protect. If anyone who was peacefully exercising that right is upset and angry, I feel responsible and I am sorry.”
“The city belongs to all of us and we’re all part of this community,” Jackson said. “It’s clear that we have much work to do.”
Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson’s Urgent Announcement from Devin James Group on Vimeo.Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson’s Urgent Announcement from Devin James Group on Vimeo.
[This post has been updated.][This post has been updated.]
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