Ferguson police chief resigns amid furor over DoJ report

Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson at a news conference in August shortly after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown.

Ferguson, Missouri, Police Chief Thomas Jackson resigned Wednesday, the city announced. He is the latest in a string of city officials ousted in the wake of a Justice Department report that found a culture of racism in the police department and city offices.

Jackson's resignation — which the city said was a "mutual decision" — is effective March 19.

Municipal Judge Ronald Brockmeyer resigned Monday and City Manager John Shaw resigned Tuesday after they were highlighted in the scathing report, which was commissioned after white police officer Darren Wilson, who has since resigned, shot and killed unarmed black 18-year-old Michael Brown in August. Wilson wasn't charged in the shooting.

Two police officers were suspended and later resigned, and the city's top court clerk was fired.

Jackson came under sustained national criticism for his defense of his officers and his department's handling of protests after Brown's death. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon eventually stripped Ferguson police of oversight of security and put the State Patrol in charge.

St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger told KSDK that he has been meeting with Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III and that county police are ready to step in to assist.