Police Chief Thomas Jackson speaks during a news conference at the police headquarters in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 13, 2014.
The man vying for least competent law enforcement officer in the country
faced reporters Thursday, calling the city a "powder keg," and mastering understatement.
"The whole situation is not good at this point," Chief Thomas Jackson told reporters a day after clashes in which police fired smoke bombs, tear gas and rubber pellets at protesters who he said had thrown firebombs at police and engaged in gunfire. […]
"We need everybody to tone it down," he said.
To that end, he says police would consider changing "not only the tactics but also the appearance" of law enforcement. That would be an excellent start. Maybe the new tactics will include
not unprovoked attacks on peaceful protesters. Maybe that should be the very first thing they try, in fact.