Ferguson Police Suspend Spokesman For Calling Michael Brown Memorial a 'Pile of Trash'

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The Ferguson Police Department has suspended an official spokesman for referring to the memorial for teenager Michael Brown, who was shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer in August, as a "pile of trash."

Officer Tim Zoll allegedly made the comments to the Washington Post during an interview for a story about a car running over the memorial — which consists of a collection of flowers, plush toys, and signs — on Christmas.

"I don't know that a crime has occurred," Zoll said of the incident Friday. "But a pile of trash in the middle of the street? The Washington Post is making a call over this?"

I can't believe some destroyed the Canfield memorial on Christmas. Hate is deep. (via — deray mckesson (@deray)December 26, 2014

Nationwide protests over racial bias in policing and officers' use of excessive force have erupted in the wake of Brown's death on August 9. Tensions and major demonstrations reignited after a Ferguson grand jury in November decided not to indict the officer, Darren Wilson, who shot the unarmed teen.

The city released a statement confirming Zoll's immediate suspension to KMOX, St. Louis. The statement did not reveal the officer's name, but said he had been placed on unpaid leave pending "disciplinary proceedings."

Officials were also careful to distance themselves from the remark, saying the officer's comments in no way "reflect the feelings of the Ferguson Police Department."

The memorial to Brown on Canfield Drive has since been re-erected.