Ferguson police did everything wrong #2

Considering all, the amount of violence and vandalism in Ferguson, Missouri last night was not so bad, compared to other racially-inspired rioting in other equally volatile situations.   Think Watts.   Think Rodney King.  Think Kent State.

A large share of the blame for what happened last night can be placed on the Ferguson police chief for his egregiously inflammatory release of information about Michael Brown's allegedly stealing cigars from a convenience store, which was unrelated to the shooting  -- and not also releasing an account of the police officer's shooting of Michael.

Police Chief Thomas Jackson did so against the request of the Department of Justice and without the knowledge of either the governor (who had earlier replaced him) or of Capt. Ron Johnson, who is now in charge.   Whether he did so out of malice and revenge, or whether he is simply that insensitive to the situation -- it goes a long way toward explaining why race relations between the black community and the local police are so bad.

On ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" today, Gov. Jay Nixon expressed his disapproval and said that neither he nor his staff had known the video was going to be released.

"We certainly were not happy with that being released, especially in the way that it was.  It appeared to cast dispersions on a young man that was gunned down in the street. It made emotions raw."

He, too, said that the renewed unrest in the community was due in part to this release.  

"To attempt to in essence disparage the character of this victim in the middle of a process is not right. It’s just not right. . . .   And secondarily, it did put the community, and quite frankly the region and the nation, on alert again. These are old wounds. These are deep wounds in these communities. And that action was not helpful."

In a local radio interview, Rep. Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) expressed his lack of trust in the local law enforcement: 

"I have absolutely no confidence in the Ferguson police, the county prosecutor. . . . We know we won't get a fair shake there. . . . That's why they did what they did today, was to negatively influence a jury pool in St. Louis County. . . .  Just to assassinate Michael Brown's character is wrong. He was already assassinated, so now you're going to assassinate his character?  What kind of human being are you?"

He continued: 

"It's personal too. I'm raising a 13-year-old son in this community and he nor anyone else should have to live under a double standard with the law. We have to change the policing in this community."

In sharp contrast, the state highway patrol officer, Capt. Ron Johnson, who was put in charge by Gov. Nixon, spoke to Mike Brown's family and community at a church rally for him:

"My heart goes out to you, and I say that I'm sorry. . . .  I am with you. I will protect you, I will protect your right to protest."

Sometimes, there is simple ignorance and ineptitude.   And fear.   Sometimes there is malice.  I can't say what the balance of the mix is in this police chief, but it feels to me like malice must be in there at some level.

Ralph