Ferguson, Mo., Police Chief Tom Jackson formally apologized to the family of Michael Brown, the unarmed black teen killed last month by one of his officers, in a video released Thursday.
CNN aired the video, attributed to the Devin James Group, a public relations firm based in Memphis, Tenn.
“Before we can engage in further discussion on the broader issues, I think it’s important that we address the central issue that brought us here today, and that’s the death of Michael Brown,” Jackson said. “I want to say this to the Brown family: No one who has not experienced the loss of a child can understand what you’re feeling. I am truly sorry for the loss of your son.”
He also apologized for Brown’s body being left in the street for hours after he was killed, explaining that investigators were trying to collect evidence. “But it was just too long,” he said.
“Please know that the investigating officers meant no disrespect,” he said. “They were simply trying to do their jobs.”
Jackson also addressed the protests that consumed Ferguson in the days after Brown’s shooting, apologizing to any peaceful protesters who felt that their right to protest had been violated.
“I do want to say to any peaceful protester who did not feel I did enough to protect their constitutional right to protest, I am sorry for that,” he 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.”
“I’m also aware of the pain and the feeling of mistrust felt in some of the African-American community towards the police department,” he continued. “The city belongs to all of us and we’re all a part of this community. It is clear we have much work to do.”
Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson’s Urgent Announcement from Devin James Group on Vimeo.
