After a federal report alleged widespread racial bias in his department, the police chief of Ferguson, Missouri, has agreed to resign.<\/p>\n
Ferguson came under investigation after a white police officer killed an unarmed black teenager in August, sparking weeks of unrest.<\/p>\n
Several other Ferguson officials have stepped down in wake of the report.<\/p>\n
US authorities have vowed to reform the force, possibly dismantling it.<\/p>\n
Thomas Jackson had resisted calls from protesters and some state leaders to step down, after the shooting of Michael Brown and the weeks of demonstrations that followed.<\/p>\n
The city said it would be giving Mr Jackson a severance payment and would pay for his health insurance for one year.<\/p>\n
The resignation is effective on 19 March at which time an acting chief will assume the role.<\/p>\n
The St Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper has published what it said was Mr Jackson’s resignation letter.<\/p>\n
“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve this great city and to serve with all of you,” the letter reads.<\/p>\n
The city said that it will conduct a “nationwide search” for a permanent replacement.<\/p>\n
Jackson has led the department since 2010.<\/p>\n
The police force had three black officers, despite the fact that the city of 21,000 people was predominately black.<\/p>\n
The shooting in August drew international attention, and Jackson’s handling of the situation drew widespread criticism.<\/p>\n
Elected leaders including US Senator Claire McCaskill and other state officials pressured the city’s mayor to force Mr Jackson’s resignation.<\/p>\n
Last week, the US Department of Justice released a report that accused the city of using the police force and court system to generate profit.<\/p>\n
It found that black motorists were more than twice as likely as others to face searches during traffic stops and were more likely to be subject to excessive force from police.<\/p>\n
Since the report was released, the city manager, a judge, two police officers, and a court clerk have either resigned or been fired.<\/p>\n
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