7 Questions We’d Ask Ferguson’s Chief of Police
It only took Tom Jackson six weeks.
In that time—which began with the shooting of Mike Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old, by police in Ferguson, Missouri —Jackson, the chief of those police, has watched this St. Louis suburb descend into chaos as police fired smoke, teargas, and rubber bullets at protesters while arresting dozens.
On Thursday, in a room (predictably) closed to media and Ferguson residents, Jackson finally issued an apology (predictably) to a camera.
“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.’’
Jackson expressed regret for the four hours that passed before Brown’s dead body was removed from the scene. He was also sorry for the harassment of peaceful protesters, and apologized to Brown’s parents for the loss of their son.
“Overnight I went from being a small-town police chief to being part of a conversation about racism, equality, and the role of policing in that conversation,’’ Jackson said. “As chief of police, and as a resident, I want to be part of that conversation.’’
Well, I’d love to speak to Jackson, but he’d be well-served to prepare himself to answer a few questions before he decides to join the discussion:
• I’d like to hear his reasoning behind why cops shoot blacks for crimes that are met with non-lethal action when committed by whites?
• Perhaps Jackson can enlighten us as to why an unarmed black person is shot by an American law enforcement officer every 28 hours, why those officers almost always face no consequences?
• Maybe, just maybe, he can explain why the system is intent on keeping this practice effectively legal?
• When he’s done outlining the rationale, Jackson can tell us just how truthful his explanation was around releasing those surveillance tapes.
• Oh — and has his department gotten around to installing those dash cams?
• I’d like to know what stopped him from reacting to Mike Brown’s death like South Carolina state police did in a similar case, firing and arresting an officer who shot an unarmed black man within two weeks of the incident?
• And one more question: Where is Officer Darren Wilson, anyway?
If Tom Jackson isn’t prepared to answer these questions, maybe he should sit this one out. Or keep talking behind cameras and closed doors.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com