Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson denies report he is resigning

FERGUSON, Mo. - The head of the Ferguson Police Department in Missouri has denied reports he is going to step down or be fired for the ongoing fallout from the shooting of an unarmed black teen by a white cop.

CBS affiliate KMOV in St. Louis reports Police Chief Tom Jackson told them the rumors are not true.

"I have not been told I must resign nor have I been fired. If I do resign in the future it will be my choice. However, it is not imminent," Jackson said.

The rumor of Jackson's removal first appeared on CNN. Citing anonymous sources, the network claimed Jackson would depart "as part of the effort by city officials to reform the police department, according to government officials familiar with the ongoing discussions between local, state and federal officials."

The St. Louis suburb was rocked by strings of often violent protests following the August 9 shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown. The cop who shot Brown has allegedly claimed his life was in danger. Many locals, however, have claimed Brown had his hands up when he was shot.

Jackson was not publicly discussed at a meeting of Ferguson's City Council Tuesday.