Today, March 5th, Chief Julian Wiser promoted Lt. Jackie Benton to the rank of Captain, making her the first female to reach the rank of Captain in the history of the Jackson Police Department. Captain Benton began her career in the Patrol Division with the Jackson Police Department in 1993. In 1998, Captain Benton started a new assignment in the Metro Narcotics Unit as a Narcotics Investigator. In 2009, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, remaining in the Metro Narcotics Unit to supervise the administrative duties involving the seizing of drugs, assets and money, as well as procurement of equipment and supplies. In 2015, Chief Wiser promoted Sergeant Benton to the rank of Lieutenant in the Special Operations Division, which encompassed the Metro Narcotics Unit, Gang Unit, K-9 Unit and several other specialized divisions.
Prior to Captain Benton’s employment with the Jackson Police Department, Captain Benton served in the United States Army from October 1987 to October 1991. After completing the Basic Military Police School, she was assigned to the Fort Dix Military Police Company in Fort Dix, New Jersey. Some of her duties included Patrol, Firearms Technician, Drug Suppression Team Investigator, and undercover narcotics agent. During her service, she received the High Performance Award for Excellence, the Good Conduct Medal, and two Army Achievement Medals.
Captain Benton was selected as Employee of the Month in June 2012 and she received the Jackson Police Department’s Lifesaving Medal for her efforts in using CPR to save the life of an unresponsive forty-five-year-old woman who fully recovered and was released from the hospital ten days later.
Captain Benton had the honor of being pinned by her father Colonel James Davis (retired). Colonel Davis retired from the United States Marine Corps after thirty-one years of service in 1998. Colonel Davis was instrumental in developing tactics for employment of the Red Eye shoulder fired ground to air missile. He has served in various capacities to include platoon commander, executive officer, commanding officer, as well as staff officer. Colonel Davis was promoted to his present rank in 1996.
Congratulations Captain Benton!!!
