Michael Jackson | |
|---|---|
 Jackson in 2019 | |
| Secretary ofMaryland State Police | |
| Assumed office November 12, 2025[1] | |
| Preceded by | Daniel C. Pickett (acting) |
| Member of theMaryland Senate from the27th district | |
| In office January 13, 2021 – November 1, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Miller |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Member of theMaryland House of Delegates from the27B district | |
| In office January 14, 2015 – January 13, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Mark N. Fisher |
| Succeeded by | Rachel Jones |
| Sheriff of Prince George's County | |
| In office December 2, 2002 – December 6, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Alonzo Black |
| Succeeded by | Melvin High |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Angelo Jackson (1964-03-29)March 29, 1964 (age 61) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Kim Jackson |
| Education | DeVry University (BS) Johns Hopkins University (MS) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1982–1985 |
| Unit | United States Marine Corps Reserve |
Michael Angelo Jackson (born March 29, 1964)[2] is a former member of theMaryland Senate representing District 27 inCalvert,Charles andPrince George's counties. Jackson was a member of theMaryland House of Delegates representing District 27B in Calvert and Prince George's counties from 2015 to 2021, and thesheriff of Prince George's County from 2002 to 2010.
Jackson was born on March 29, 1964. He attendedCrossland High School inTemple Hills, Maryland. From 1982 to 1985, Jackson served in theUnited States Marine Corps Reserve. In 1986, he received hisBachelor of Science in electronic engineering technology from theDeVry Institute of Technology and graduated from the PELP (Police Executive Leadership Program) master's program atJohns Hopkins University.[2]
After joining thePrince George's County Sheriff's Office, Jackson became theFraternal Order of Police 112/DSA union president.[3][4] In 2002, then a corporal, Jackson won the election for county sheriff by a narrow margin against the incumbent sheriff,Alonzo D. Black II.[5] Jackson was also the President of the Maryland Sheriff's Association until his retirement in 2010.[6][7][8] Jackson is a member of theAmerican Legion post 275; is a member of the Moose Lodge 453 and the MitchellvilleKiwanis Club.[2] His 2010 campaign for County Executive of Prince George's County was unsuccessful when he lost toRushern Baker.[9]
Jackson's department created the first 24-hour domestic-violence unit in the State of Maryland.[10] He is a recipient of the 2008 Victims' Rights Caucus Award, and the Allied Profession Award.[2] In 2007, he also received the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award.[2][11] His department also received the 2007 Governor's Award.[12]
Pursuant to MarylandCommon 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.[13] Jackson, aDemocrat, served for two terms, from 2002 to 2010. The area that he served contains an estimated 820,852 residents,[14] holds the Washington Redskins Stadium (Fedex Field, the largest stadium in theNFL[15]), theUniversity of Maryland, College Park, and theNational Harbor.[16] 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.[17][18][19]
In July 2008, Jackson's agency, investigating a drug-smuggling ring, raided a private residence inBerwyn Heights, Maryland, handcuffing and interrogating those inside, and shooting two dogs. Almost immediately afterward, the home was revealed to be that ofCheye 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.
Jackson spoke at a number of press conferences following the incident, in defense of his department's role in the raid.[20] 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 theFederal Bureau of Investigation is monitoring the situation, as part of a civil rights review requested by the Calvos.[21] In addition, Maryland Senator Thomas V. "Mike" Miller said, "The people of Prince George's 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.[22]
In August 2010 while campaigning to be elected county executive, Jackson stated, "We've apologized for the incident, but we will never apologize for taking drugs off our streets," adding "Quite frankly, we'd do it again. Tonight."[23] 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.[24]
Two years after the raid on Mayor Calvo's residence, a deputy in Jackson's department shot and killed a family dog while serving an eviction notice. The deputy was allegedly supposed to wait foranimal 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".[25] According to county spokeswoman Sergeant 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 agency was not evicting Donna Williams, but only serving her with an eviction notice.[26] 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 forpost-traumatic stress disorder. In addition, Williams said Jackson told her that he was sorry but that his deputies "did what theyhad to". Even before an internal investigation by the department was completed, Sheriff Jackson said the deputy in question "did the right thing".[27]
Jackson 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, Jackson stated, "I have no opinion on that."[28][29]
Jackson was first elected to theMaryland House of Delegates in November 2014 and was sworn in January 2015. He was assigned to the Appropriations committee and serves on its Public Safety and Administration and its Oversight on Pensions sub-committees. In 2019 he was selected to be the House chair of the Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Biotechnology. He was the chairman of thePrince George's County Delegation and a member of theLegislative Black Caucus of Maryland.[30] Jackson resigned from his seat on January 13, 2021, to accept appointment to the state senate.[31]
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Jackson was appointed to theMaryland Senate by GovernorLarry Hogan on January 13, 2021, to replaceMike Miller, who resigned on December 23, 2020.[2][32][33]
During the 2023 legislative session, Jackson was the only Democrat in the Maryland General Assembly who voted againstQuestion 1, a voter referendum that established a right to abortion in theConstitution of Maryland.[34]
On October 10, 2025, Maryland GovernorWes Moore named Jackson as the nextSecretary of State Police, succeeding Roland Butler, who retired.[35]
Jackson is married to Kim Jackson and has one child.[2][36]
Cpl. Michael Jackson (D), the head of the deputies' union
Cpl. Mike Jackson, head of the county's sheriff's association
Michael A. Jackson (D-Prince George's, Charles, Calvert), center, is sworn in by Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore city), left, while accompanied by his wife, Kim Jackson, right.
