ST. LOUIS - Chief Jackson's effort to speak with demonstrators ended with a confrontation between police and demonstrators Thursday night.
Now, Ferguson's police chief says he's investigating the violence that unfolded right in front of the police station.
The crowd, the chief says, was bigger than it has been lately, about 200 strong and formed earlier in the day. The same day the chief issued his apology. But it's clear not everyone was in a forgiving mood.
'If you're not resigning tonight, you need to just go back home,' a demonstrator yelled.
Harsh words for Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson, even name-calling.
'You know you're a thief,' someone in the crowd said.
The scene was captured on video shot by Mary T. Moore, with Disclosure Newszine Magazine. Jackson says a large group of locals he recognized wanted to listen to him.
'Up in front were people obviously I had not seen before at all,' said the chief. 'They're new to the crowd.'
The chief believes they are vocal out-of-towners. Some demanding Officer Wilson's arrest, even though a grand jury is hearing the case. Others were angry over Jackson's videotaped apology released that morning. Claiming too little, too late.
'What are ya'll going to do to help us? Cause if I gotta die to make sure another mother-f@@king brother don't go, I will right now,' someone from the crowd said.
When Jackson began to walk with demonstrators, violence broke out behind him. The video doesn't make clear what happened.
Brittney Valentine said, 'He was a black police officer. Everything was fine, there was no reason for him to come and just start pushing everybody, elbowing everybody.'
Jackson says he doesn't know what happened, but his department is investigating and using its new equipment to help.
'We're trying to pull up some videotape from the body cameras,' Jackson said.
While he does regret his visit because it sparked violence, he does not regret his apology.
'No absolutely not. I wish I'd have done it sooner,' Chief Jackson said.
Seven people were arrested and one officer was injured with a sprained wrist.
Jackson says he has no plans to resign. He says he and his department have made mistakes, but are on a high speed learning curve.
Just yesterday, he met with a team from the Department of Justice on how to improve race relations in the city.
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Posted by Unknown on Friday, September 26, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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