National Association for the Advancement of Colored People - St.
Louis Branch 625 N. Euclid Avenue Suite 460 Saint Louis, Missouri
63108 Tel: 314-361-8600
September 5, 2014 (VIA EMAIL) [email protected] E.
Lopez, Deputy ChiefSpecial Litigation SectionU.S. Department of
Justice, Civil Rights Division950 Pennsylvania Ave, NWWashington,
DC 20530
Subject: Review of Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson
Deputy Chief Lopez:
I am writing to request that your review of the Ferguson Police
department includes a specific review of Ferguson Police Chief
Thomas Jackson; and his action related to the release of the video
of Michael Brown allegedly conducting a "strong-arm robbery."
According to Mr. Matthew Keys, an investigative journalist with
The Desk and The Blot Magazine (formerly with Thomson Reuters)
article published on September 5, 2014:
http://theblot.com/exclusive-ferguson-police-chief-lied-about-michael-brown-surveillance-tape-7725621
Several weeks ago, Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson released
surveillance video purporting to show Mr. Michael Brown, 17,
engaged in a so-called "strong-arm robbery" at a convenience store
hours before he was fatally shot by one of the department's
officers. Mr. Jackson said the video of Mr. Brown was being
released after several media organizations has filed open records
requests seeking the release of the video.
Mr. Keys filed an open records request seeking any and all
requests made by the media for the surveillance video and found
that zero requests were made to the City of Ferguson or the
Ferguson Police Department for the video. Requests were only made
to the police department after the police chief released the
surveillance video. This contradicts the chief's assertion that
media requests were made for the video, and that his hand was
forced in releasing it.
The day prior to the release Chief Jackson met with the NAACP
and several members of the U S Justice Department's Community
Relations Services and discussed the release of the video. Chief
Jackson assured us all that he did not want to release the video
but was being forced due to media request. You may further recalled
that DOJ advised Chief Jackson not to released.
USDOJ Deputy Chief Christy Lopez LetterSeptember 5, 2014Page
Two
Chief's Jackson release of the video under false circumstance
not only constitute a breach of trust with both the Press &
Community; but also a possible attempt to influence the outcome of
the Federal Investigation with respect to the shooting of Michael
Brown.
A thorough review of the Chief's action, and the adjunction if
warranted, is a necessary component to begin the restoration of
trust between the Police and the Community.
Respectfully Submitted,
Adolphus M. Pruitt, II, - 1st Vice President & Political
Action Chair NAACP Missouri State Conference of Branches
cc: Cornell William Brooks, President & CEO NAACP Mary
Ratliff, President Missouri NAACP Governor Jay Nixon Attorney
General Chris Koster STL County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch
Attorneys Representing Michael Brown's Family
