UPDATE: Well, this is what I get for believing an NBC affiliate. :-) It's the Missouri Highway Patrol. Holder says DOJ assisting. Not the FBI.
ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) -- Missouri Governor Jay Nixon removed the St. Louis County Police Department from the Ferguson command and handed reigns over to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the governor announced Thursday.
Missouri Highway Patrol takes over Ferguson operations
THE BELOW RE FBI TAKING OVER IS INCORRECT, BUT HOLDER IS HELPING WITH DOJ, SO SOME FEDERAL PRESENCE.
The local NBC affiliate, KSDK, is reporting that the FBI now is in charge of the police presence in Ferguson:
The FBI will oversee all operations, protests and other activities in Ferguson.
Local police agencies, including St. Louis County police will now operate under the direction of the FBI.
We've also learned the department of justice will send special prosecutors to Ferguson to help with the investigation.
More as I find it out.
Updated version of KDSD link:
FERGUSON, Mo. – NewsChannel 5 has learned the FBI will now take over a large part of the investigation into the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
The FBI will oversee all operations, protests and other activities in Ferguson.
Local police agencies, including St. Louis County police will now operate under the direction of the FBI.
We've also learned the department of justice will send special prosecutors to Ferguson to help with the investigation.
THE ABOVE IS INCORRECT.
Update I:
(CNN) — U.S. Justice Department officials have offered to assist local authorities in Ferguson, Missouri, to help them control crowds “without relying on unnecessarily extreme displays of force,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement Thursday. “The local authorities in Missouri have accepted this offer of assistance as of this afternoon,” he said.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says he’s “deeply concerned” about the law enforcement response to demonstrations in Ferguson, Missouri. “The law enforcement response to these demonstrations must seek to reduce tensions, not heighten them. Those who peacefully gather to express sympathy for the family of Michael Brown must have their rights respected at all times. And journalists must not be harassed or prevented from covering a story that needs to be told,” Holder said in a statement Thursday. “At a time when we must seek to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the local community, I am deeply concerned that the deployment of military equipment and vehicles sends a conflicting message.”
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