mea culpas

Ferguson Police Chief Finally Offers Slightly Awkward, PR-Scripted Apology for Killing Michael Brown, Abusing Protesters

From the Paula Deen School of Uncomfortable Apology Videos comes this clip starring Ferguson police chief Tom Jackson. More than six weeks after one of his officers shot and killed an unarmed Michael Brown, Jackson has joined with the Devin James Group — “a Public Relations firm and also an awarded advertising agency that works primarily on behalf of non-profit social causes and government entities for the benefit of diverse communities” — to offer words of contrition while bathed in bad lighting and wearing a polo shirt.

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,” says Jackson, occasionally glancing down at notes in his hand.

I’m also sorry that it took so long to remove Michael from the street. The time that it took involved very important work on the part of investigators, who were trying to collect evidence and gain a true picture of what happened that day. But it was just too long, and I am truly sorry for that,” he continues. “Please know that the investigators meant no disrespect to the Brown family, to the African-American community, or the people of Canfield. They were simply trying to do their jobs.”

Jackson also addresses the demonstrators who clashed with his force, and its substantial backup, in the days following the shooting. “I do want to say to any peaceful protester who did not feel that I did enough to protect their constitutional right to protest, I am sorry for that,” says Jackson, following what is actually not a bad script. “The right of the people to peacefully assemble is what the police are here to protect. If anyone who is peacefully exercising that right is upset and angry, I feel responsible, and I am sorry.”

For any mistakes I have made,” he concludes, “I take full responsibility.”

The rest of his men, maybe not so much:

Ferguson Police Chief Offers Awkward Apology