Ferguson mayor: Darren Wilson will not receive severance pay

FERGUSON, Mo., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- James Knowles, mayor of Ferguson, Missouri, said Sunday that Officer Darren Wilson will not receive a severance package after resigning from the police department.

Wilson, the officer who shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown resigned Saturday citing fears that his continued employment would "put the residents and police officers of the City of Ferguson at risk."

There have been violent and peaceful protests since Monday's decision by a grand jury not to indict Wilson, and protests have spread from Ferguson to cities and towns all over the country.

Knowles said he is looking to recruit more minority officers, after claims the police department's demographics are not representative of the town's, since most police officers in Ferguson are white. He also plans to initiate school programs in 2015 meant to improve the police department's connection with the community.