Ferguson Police Chief Denies CNN Report That He's Expected to Step Down

Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson denied a CNN report Tuesday evening that said he is expected to step down as part of efforts to reform the department.

Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson begins to march with protesters before clashes led to arrests in front of the Ferguson Police Department, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Robert Cohen)

CNN, citing unnamed government officials, reported that Jackson would step down as soon as next week. The report added that the city would then ask the St. Louis County police chief to temporarily take over.

However, St. Louis Dispatch Reporter Christine D Byers reported Jackson adamantly denied the report, saying that he has not been fired or resigned and called the CNN report wrong.

Chief Tom Jackson tells me he has not been fired nor has he resigned. He says @cnn reports are completely wrong

— Christine Byers (@ChristineDByers) October 29, 2014

Just confirmed w/ my #ferguson police sources Chief Tom Jackson IS NOT STEPPING DOWN! Chief says @CNN is wrong. @ksdknews

— Anne Allred (@AnneAllredNBC)

October 29, 2014

KSDK-TV reporter added that Mayor James Knowles told reporters he had not asked Jackson to step down.

"He has stayed strong with us till this point, don't see that changing," Knowles reportedly said.

BREAKING: #Ferguson Mayor James Knowles tells reporters at council meeting tonight, Chief Jackson not resigning and he hasn't asked him to.

— Farrah Fazal (@FarrahFazal)

October 29, 2014

"He has stayed strong with us till this point, don't see that changing," said #Ferguson Mayor James Knowles about reports chief will resign.

— Stephen Deere (@stephencdeere) October 29, 2014

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