The police chief in Ferguson, Missouri, is expected to step down 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.

But Chief Thomas Jackson and the city's mayor say the reports aren't true.

Under the proposed plan, after Jackson leaves, city leadership would ask the St. Louis County police chief to take over management of Ferguson's police force.

The announcement could come as soon as next week.

It would be one step in what local officials hope will help reduce tensions in the city as the public awaits a decision on whether the St. Louis County grand jury will bring charges against Officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown.

"The animosity that existed in Ferguson were way before Mike Brown's shooting, justified or not. So, unfortunately, the leadership in the Police Department has to change," said CNN legal analyst Mark O' Mara. "And if he's sort of a sacrificial lamb to get this started, it's going to have to be. Ferguson's going to have to move forward. And it doesn't seem they can move forward with this police chief in place."

Denials

Jackson said Tuesday he is not being pushed out.

"Nobody in my chain of command has asked me to resign, nor have I been terminated," he said on the phone to CNN.

And Ferguson Mayor James Knowles said there is no plan in place for the police chief to step down.

When asked whether the federal government was pressuring the city to force out the police chief, he told CNN: "People have been saying that for months, I mean for him to step down. But we've stood by him this entire time. So there is no change on that."

Grand jury

The St. Louis suburb drew national attention after protests erupted after Wilson's shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old unarmed African-American.

Wilson, who is white, hasn't been charged in the case, though a grand jury is hearing evidence that could lead to an indictment.

(CNN)