- Michael A. Jackson (sheriff)
-
For other people named Michael Jackson, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation).
Michael A. Jackson Sheriff of Prince George's County,Maryland In office
2002–2010Succeeded by Melvin High Personal details Born March 29, 1964
Prince George's County, MarylandPolitical party Democratic Profession politician Michael A. Jackson (born March 29, 1964) is the former Sheriff of Prince George's County, Maryland. Pursuant to Maryland Common Law, Jackson's position as the elected sheriff made him the senior law enforcement official of his jurisdiction and his authority superseded all others within the county.[1] Jackson, a Democrat, served for two terms, from 2002 to 2010. The area that he served contains an estimated 820,852 residents,[2] holds the Washington Redskins Stadium (Fedex Field, the largest stadium in the NFL[3]), the University of Maryland, College Park, and the National Harbor.[4] Although violent crimes had dropped since 2006, in 2007, Prince George's County reported over 130 homicides, the highest rate of any county in Maryland.[5][6][7]
Contents
Personal summary
From 1982 to 1985, Jackson served in the United States Marine Corps reserves. In 1986, he received his B.S. in electronic engineering technology from the DeVry Institute of Technology and graduated from the PELP (Police Executive Leadership Program) master's program at Johns Hopkins University.[8] After joining the Sheriff's Office, Jackson became the Fraternal Order of Police 112/DSA union president. In 2002, Jackson won the election for County Sheriff by a narrow margin against the incumbent sheriff, Al Black. Jackson was also the President of the Maryland Sheriff's Association until his retirement in 2010.[9] Jackson is married, and has one child; is a member of the American Legion post 275; is a member of the Moose Lodge 453 and the Mitchellville Kiwanis Club.[8] His 2010 campaign for County Executive of Prince George's County was unsuccessful when he lost to Rushern Baker.[10]
Jackson created the Sheriff Michael A. Jackson Charities Foundation.[citation needed] His department also created the first 24-hour domestic-violence unit in the State of Maryland[11] He is a recipient of the 2008 Victims' Rights Caucus Award, and the Allied Profession Award.[12] In 2007, he also received the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award.[13] His department also received the 2007 Governor's Award.[14]
Controversies
Berwyn Heights mayor's residence drug raid
Main article: Berwyn Heights, Maryland mayor's residence drug raidIn July 2008, Sheriff Jackson's department, investigating a drug-smuggling ring, raided a private residence in Berwyn Heights, Maryland, handcuffing and interrogating those inside, and shooting two dogs. Almost immediately afterward, the home was revealed to be that of Cheye Calvo, the mayor of Berwyn Heights. The incident ignited much local and national controversy, with allegations of excessive force, civil rights violations, and failure to co-ordinate with the Berwyn heights police department.
Sheriff Jackson spoke at a number of press conferences following the incident, in defense of his Department's role in the raid.[15] Despite the controversy, the department did not officially clear the Calvos of wrongdoing until 2010. While an internal investigation by the Sheriff's department claimed to have found no wrongdoing, and Sheriff Jackson publicly praised the officers involved, a lawsuit was filed, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is monitoring the situation, as part of a civil rights review requested by the Calvos.[16] In addition, Maryland Senator Thomas V. "Mike" Miller said, "The people of Prince Georges County demand better" and also stated that he pleaded with Jackson to make an adequate apology for the incident. It took more than a year for Sheriff Jackson to offer any kind of apology whatsoever.[17]
In August 2010 while campaigning to be elected county executive, Sheriff Jackson stated, "We've apologized for the incident, but we will never apologize for taking drugs off our streets....Quite frankly, we'd do it again. Tonight."[18] Prince George's County settled the lawsuit in 2011, paying an undisclosed sum to Calvo, and agreeing to create new regulations on the treatment of animals and the deployment of SWAT teams.[19]
Family Dog Killed While Sheriff Jackson's Department is Serving an Eviction Notice
Two days after Sheriff Jackson said, "Quite frankley, we'd do it again. Tonight." another family dog was killed by one of his deputies. The deputy was supposed to wait for animal control to arrive but failed to follow proper procedures for serving an eviction. As a result, another county resident, Donna Williams of Forest Heights was the latest victim of what Mayor Calvo said, "is part of a pattern." [20] According to spokeswoman Sgt. Yakeisha Hines, "the only reason Animal Control is asked to be on scene, is to take possession of the dog after the family is evicted." In this case, Sheriff Jackson's department was not evicting Donna Williams, but only serving her with an eviction notice.[21] Donna Williams indicated that she did not believe they knocked. When asked for comment, Spokeswoman Hines merely stated, "That's her opinion." Williams was hospitalized for post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition, Williams said Jackson told her that he was sorry but that his deputies "did what they had to." Even before an internal investigation by the department was completed, Sheriff Jackson said he "did the right thing."[22]
Campaign Treasurer indicted for union embezzlement
Sheriff Jackson also testified in August 2010 that one year before his campaign treasurer was accused of embezzlement from the local Fraternal Order of Police lodge, he had rejected the union president's requests that he review evidence of the alleged embezzlement. After his treasurer was indicted, Jackson suspended her with pay from her Sheriff's department position. When asked whether it was permissible to steal union funds, Sheriff Jackson stated, "I have no opinion on that."[23] [24]
References
- ^ 2006-2007 Edition Maryland Criminal Laws & Motor Vehicle Handbook with Related Statutes including Legal Guidlines, (c) 2006 Gould Publications
- ^ Prince George's County, Maryland - Population Finder - American FactFinder
- ^ Stadiums of the NFL-FedEx Field-Washington Redskins
- ^ Contact Information
- ^ County homicides top count from 2006
- ^ Rondeaux, Candace (2007-04-25). "Homicide Rate Soars In Year's First Quarter". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/24/AR2007042401715.html. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
- ^ Capital News Service wire feed
- ^ a b "Michael A. Jackson, Sheriff (biography)". Maryland Archives. http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/36loc/pg/html/msa14132.html. Retrieved 2007-12-09.
- ^ "Meet the Sheriffs". Maryland Sheriff's Association. http://www.mdsheriffs.org/membership.html. Retrieved 2007-12-06.
- ^ [|Spivack, Miranda S.] (September 16, 2010). "Rushern Baker's victory suggests wish for change in Prince George's". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/15/AR2010091506826.html. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
- ^ . http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5244/is_200401/ai_n19595004.[dead link]
- ^ Victim's Rights Caucus
- ^ http://www.goprincegeorgescounty.com/Government/JudicialBranch/Sheriff/news_pdf/Jackson%20Award.pdf
- ^ http://www.goprincegeorgescounty.com/Government/JudicialBranch/Sheriff/news_pdf/Gov%20Award.pdf
- ^ Witt, April (2009-02-01). "Deadly Force". The Washington Post. pp. W08. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/23/AR2009012302935.html?hpid=topnews. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
- ^ Helderman, Rosalind S.; Davis, Aaron C. (2008-08-07). "FBI to Review Raid That Killed Mayor's Dogs". "The Washington Post". http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/07/AR2008080702161.html?sid=ST2008080603533. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
- ^ http://www.gazette.net/stories/08272010/prinnew141636_32557.php
- ^ Valentine, Daniel (August 5, 2010). "Prince George's county executive candidates defend their records". Maryland Gazette. http://www.gazette.net/stories/08052010/prinnew160645_32538.php. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ^ Valentine, Daniel (January 24, 2011). "Prince George's County settles Calvo suit". The Gazette. http://www.gazette.net/stories/01242011/prinnew130319_32597.php. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
- ^ Castaneda, Ruben (2010-08-07). "Sheriff's deputy serving eviction notice fatally shoots Md. family's dog". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/06/AR2010080606146.html.
- ^ http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=107033&catid=158
- ^ http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-08-10/news/bs-md-sheriff-dog-shot-20100809_1_deputies-animal-control-labradors
- ^ [|Castaneda, Ruben] (August 14, 2010). "Pr. George's sheriff says he declined to review evidence in alleged embezzlement". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/13/AR2010081306020.html. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
- ^ Michael A. Jackson (August 2, 2010). Jackson Disposition. http://www.viddler.com/explore/alwayswatchinpg/videos/1/. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
External links
Categories:- Maryland sheriffs
- United States Marines
- 1964 births
- Living people
- African American police officers
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
