FERGUSON, Mo. — Two years after he was sworn in as the chief of the Ferguson Police Department, Jason Armstrong will be leaving the department for a position in a different state.
"While this is a disappointment to the city, we wish him much success in his future endeavors and thank him for his service to Ferguson," the department said in a statement released Wednesday.
Armstrong will serve as chief for the Apex Police Department in North Carolina, starting Aug. 2, according to a press release posted on the City of Apex's website this week.
Armstrong is taking on this new role, months after a report revealed racial bias is “deeply entrenched” in the Apex's department culture.
He's going back home. Armstrong grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina and graduated from North Carolina Central University.
“We heard several themes emerge from the community engagement process,” said Apex Town Manager Katy Crosby in an emailed statement to 5 On Your Side Thursday. “Our stakeholders desired a candidate who could build trust, safeguard and provide equitable treatment to all residents in our town, and foster a positive internal culture. The value of the process we used to identify our next chief had candidates interview with their peers who are in, or served in, similar roles. The recruiter made sure the potential candidate addressed the community’s concerns, and possessed strong leadership skills to ensure a healthy culture within the department. We are excited to have Jason join our team and look forward to working with him.”
As far as the city of Ferguson, it has struggled to retain a police chief; Armstrong is the sixth chief in seven years. When he applied for the position in 2019, he had to review a consent decree for the first time in his career, weighing whether he thought he could make the changes required.
"A process like this, change like this, it really takes an open mind, and you have to be open to different ideas, and you have to be open to trying things," Armstrong said during an interview with 5 On Your Side in April.
Ferguson and U.S. Department of Justice entered into a consent decree in 2016, following the DOJ's review of the department's practices and procedures -- sparked by the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in 2014.
Senator Brian Williams has worked side by side with Chief Armstrong.
The Ferguson native knows his efforts.
"He came and took on a very challenging task as the police chief in the city of Ferguson, especially during a consent decree which was handed down from the Justice Department. As someone who grew up in Ferguson and represents Ferguson in the Missouri Senate, I understand exactly what the challenges are," Senator Williams says. "I think Chief Armstrong really took a very strong approach to try and to really build those relationships with the police department and community."
Community organizer Tef Poe was heavily involved in the Ferguson unrest back in 2014, out there for more than 300 days.
Poe demanded change then and now.
Currently, he's asking for the violence to simmer down in the community.
"I'm watching the violence become more and more untamed," Poe added.
Senator Williams agrees the future chief needs to make this a priority for residents, too.
"We need to assure that they're safe and we're addressing the big concern around crime in our region. And it has to be someone who understands the importance of police accountability," Senator Williams said.
Poe hopes whoever comes next can look at the past and stay long-term.
"Becoming internally woven into the fabric of the community," Poe said, "so they can start to understand what is some of the root causes of these things."
Both are looking for someone who can continue making the right steps forward for the city of Ferguson.
"You have to have good police officers and good police officers start by having a good police chief and people in roles of leadership," Williams said.
5 On Your Side also spoke to Representative Mike Person, who represents Ferguson.
He says the process to replace the chief is just starting.
"I wish him the best. It's disappointing that's he's leaving. He's a high-quality guy and going back home. We also want a high-quality candidate," Representative Person adds.
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