Behind the Badge: Lieutenant Tamara Jackson

Meet Lieutenant Tamara Jackson of the Reynoldsburg Police Department in this edition of Behind the Badge. She talks about the joy of reconnecting with a child she once helped protect, why the beach is her favorite place to recharge, and how she works to be a positive role model for younger officers.

Behind the Badge: Lieutenant Tamara Jackson

Q: Please tell us a little about yourself.

A: I grew up in the Linden area of Columbus. I have been in law enforcement for over 20 years, all at Reynoldsburg. I started as a Reserve Officer and then moved to full-time.

Q: What inspired you to become a police officer?

A: I wanted to be a nurse to help people. I discovered I am mathematically challenged, and I changed to a police officer to still be able to help people. I am motivated by the fact that sometimes my “audience” changes, but I still get to help people. As a supervisor, I can help younger officers and be a positive role model and guide for them.

Q: What's your favorite memory on the job?

A: A juvenile had to be removed from his home and taken to another location to keep him safe. I was able to reach another family member to let them know where he was staying. I was able to reunite the child with the other family member. A few years later, I received a visitor, and it was the child and family member to see me. The child was thriving and doing well. It was heartwarming and made me so happy. It confirmed that I was doing the right thing.

Q: What's one part of your job that might surprise people?

A: The meetings! I didn’t know there were so many meetings. Seriously, we hold a lot of meetings to collaborate and strategize on many subjects, such as training (year-round), new software systems, and policies and procedures.

Q: Do you have a favorite Starfish Assignment memory or event?

A: Books and Badges! I love doing this and am quite disappointed when my schedule doesn’t allow it. Elementary kids ask some amazing questions. I once had a class using math word problems to try and figure out my age. They got really close to the correct answer. Reynoldsburg officers have trading cards, and our students have learned to ask us if we have them on us. I always tell them to challenge us to carry them if we don’t have them. I was chastised by a second grader once because I ran out and forgot to put more in my pocket. I learned my lesson.

Q: When you're off duty, what do you enjoy doing?

A: I am a beach bum. The Gulf Coast of Florida is my Zen place. I recharge at the beach and could easily spend weeks there sitting and watching the waves, looking for shells and shark teeth. I love watching baseball. I even watch old baseball games during the off-season. If I hit the lottery, I am going on a tour of all 30 baseball stadiums.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you received when you were young?

A: When I told my parents I was going into law enforcement, my mom said to treat everyone like they’re your parents/family. I try to treat everyone I come into contact with like my parents. Besides, at my big age, my mom would have spanked me if she witnessed me treating someone terribly.

Q: Do you like donuts?

A: Only cake donuts with sprinkles. Pink sprinkles to be exact.