Ferguson Police Stocking Up On Riot Gear Ahead Of Grand Jury Decision On Michael Brown Killing

According to the latest reports out of Ferguson, police officers are stocking up on riot gear ahead of the forthcoming grand jury decision in the August 9 killing of Michael Brown by officer Darren Wilson.

The police have reportedly spent a massive $170,000 on replenishing riot equipment, which they anticipate they will need to use if Darren Wilson is not indicted with the charges against him.

Michael Brown, 18, was shot dead by police officer Wilson in a confrontation that sparked months-long protests across Ferguson, Missouri, with many of them being violent in nature.

The Guardian reported that the protestors, should they chose to turn violent this time around, will be met with the potential of an additional 650 teargas grenades, 1,500 beanbag rounds and 6,000 pepper balls, among other things, including 235 riot gear helmets, 135 shields, 25 batons and 60 sets of shin guards.

In other reports, it seems that the future of the police chief from the Ferguson police department, Thomas Jackson, is unclear as he is expected to announce his plans to leave his position as part of alleged efforts to “overhaul” the city’s police department.

According to some reports, the timing of the police chief’s exit from the department is a little too uncanny as it coincides almost precisely with the forthcoming grand jury decision regarding the Michael Brown shooting.

CNN‘s legal analyst, Mark O’Mara, said about the tense situation in Ferguson, ‘The animosity that existed in Ferguson [was] way before Mike Brown’s shooting, justified or not. So, unfortunately, the leadership in the police department has to change. And if he’s sort of a sacrificial lamb to get this started, it’s going to have to be. Ferguson’s going to have to more forward. And it doesn’t seem they can move forward with this police chief in place.”

In spite of all the reports though, Jackson is claiming that the rumors are unfounded. As he told the St. Louis Post Dispatch, “It’s absolutely not true. Nobody has asked me to resign nor have I been fired.”

On top of that, during an interview with CNN last month, Jackson also said he had no intention of stepping down.

“I’ve talked to a lot of people who have initially called for that and then changed their mind after having meetings and discussions about moving forward. Realistically, I’m going to stay here and see this through. This is mine, and I’m taking ownership of it.”