In recognition of his new appointment, we wanted to help the public become better acquainted with Pasadena Police Department’s new Chief of Police, M.P. Jackson.
Chief Jackson began his law enforcement career in 1977 after completing the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Police Academy in Baytown, Texas. He served with the University of Houston–Clear Lake Police Department for two years before applying and being accepted to the Pasadena Police Academy in 1979. Over a distinguished career spanning more than four decades, he rose through the ranks, serving in the role of Assistant Chief of Police for nearly 12 years. During that time, he held the position of Interim Chief of Police for 15 months.
Chief Jackson received an Associate’s degree in Law Enforcement and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from San Jacinto College and the University of Houston-Downtown, respectively. In time, he returned to the University of Houston and completed the Certified Public Manager Program. In addition to traditional academia, Chief Jackson is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Session 227), the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas/Leadership and Command College, and received the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award.
During his tenure, Chief Jackson helped secure over $850,000 in funding to strengthen department operations. This included federal stimulus funding for a Mobile Crime Scene/Command Post vehicle and technology upgrades, forfeiture assets from the Harris County District Attorney’s office for a firearms range baffling system, and HGAC funding for a SWAT armored “BearCat” vehicle. He also worked with state partners to obtain a facility for commercial vehicle enforcement. Overall, these efforts enhanced officer safety, investigative capabilities, and departmental readiness.
Chief Jackson’s leadership has been recognized with numerous honors, including the “Excellence in Leadership Award” (Pasadena Industrial Community Network), the “Community Builder Award” (Archives Lodge #1399), and multiple Chief’s Citations for high-profile investigative successes, including the resolution of nine homicide cases in 2023.
Chief Jackson’s influence extends far beyond our department. He has served on over a dozen boards and advisory councils, including the FBI Regional Computer Forensics Lab, the San Jacinto College Criminal Justice Advisory Board, and the Harris County Children’s Assessment Center. His leadership roles in education, civic service, and emergency response have had a significant impact on the community, underscoring his continued influence and dedication to public safety.
These examples represent just a few of the many contributions Chief Jackson has made over the years. Chief Jackson remains an active member of law enforcement associations at the local, state, and national levels, reflecting a lifetime of service, leadership, and dedication to public safety.
