Jackson makes second bid for Iberia sheriff

Former Sheriff’s Office Investigations Commander and state Alcohol and Tobacco Control Enforcement Chief Bobby Jackson announced he will seek the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s seat in this fall’s election.

Jackson, 50, now runs Jackson Investigations and Bail Bonds and works for prominent clients like Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Department of Defense. The lifelong Iberia Parish resident has also served overseas as a member of the U.S. Army.

“It’s time for a change in Iberia Parish,” Jackson said in his candidacy announcement. “I believe that I have the education and experience to implement these strategies and changes. I believe that the sheriff should lead from the front and lead by example as my many years in the Army has taught me.”

Jackson started with the Sheriff’s Office about 20 years ago as a narcotics deputy, having earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a political science minor from Louisiana State University in 1990. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2001 in addition to several military intelligence classes.

In 2004, Jackson served as assistant chief of staff (intelligence) for the Theater Logistics Command in Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning a Bronze Star. He retired from the Army as a major.

Campaign goals for Jackson include creating a citizen review panel to assess police discipline and policies and procedures, develop a community policing strategy, streamline administrative structure to simplify operations and put more deputies on the street and seek accreditations from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care.

“A good leader sets high standards, properly trains and equips his personnel to achieve those standards, then holds his personnel accountable to achieve those standards”. Jackson said “If elected, my door will always be open to the constituents. I will remove all barriers between the Sheriff and the public.”

Qualifying for the election is Sept. 8-10. Election Day is Oct. 24.