“The Missouri Supreme Court appointed Judge Roy Richter who will preside over the Ferguson Municipal Court cases beginning Monday, March 16, 2015,” the statement, issued on Tuesday, read.
“The City of Ferguson received the resignation of Judge Ronald Brockmeyer on Monday, and it was effective immediately,” it added.
Ferguson Mayor James Knowles said that the Ferguson Court staff is looking forward to working with Richter, as it begins to regain the trust of the Ferguson community.
“We understand there has been mistrust for some time, but the naming of Judge Richter will begin a new chapter for our Court,” Knowles stated.
Brockmeyer’s resignation comes just days after the DOJ released its report on the Ferguson Police Department and Court practices, which found the Police Chief and the Municipal Judge considered revenue generation a priority in law enforcement operations.
A 2011 Finance Director’s report to the Ferguson City Council noted that Judge Brockmeyer has successfully and significantly increased court collections since he was appointed in 2003, according to the DOJ report said.
The 2011 report included a list of what the judge had done to help in the areas of court efficiency and revenue.
“The list, drafted by Judge Brockmeyer, approvingly highlights the creation of additional fees, many of which are widely considered abusive and may be unlawful, including several that the City has repealed during the pendency of our investigation,” the DOJ said.
Besides, the DOJ investigation revealed that the City officials, including Brockmeyer, assisted friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and themselves in eliminating citations, fines, and fees.
The DOJ investigation into the Ferguson police and court practices was triggered by the police killing of an unarmed teenager Michael Brown, which stirred mass protests across the United States. US Attorney General Eric Holder told journalists last week that the DOJ and Ferguson authorities will create a completely new law enforcement structure in the city.
