By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Jackson Police Lieutenant Christopher Simpson was honored with the Pat Carlton Community Leadership Award at the Leadership Jackson Graduation held April 9 at the Michigan Theatre. The event was hosted by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and presented by South Central Michigan Works!
The annual award, honoring a Leadership Academy past graduate, is named after the late Pat Carlton, a leader in the Jackson community with ties to many local organizations.
"Jackson Leadership academy was very fulfilling to me," Simpson said. "It opened my eyes to so many other agencies and leaders in our community that strive to make Jackson a better place to live. The networking with these entities is so valuable and worthwhile, it helps strengthen the community collaborative efforts."
In his acceptance speech, Simpson said that many have inspired him along the way supporting and contributing to the vision of building bridges in the community.
"My boss (police chief) Matthew Heins has told me since day one when I started this job 23 years ago, 'that it is all about relationships' establishing them, maintaining them and fostering new ones," Simpson said.
He thanked his wife Erica Simpson and his family who continue to support his efforts, "even though they take me away from the home on numerous occasions."
"I share this award with all those who have been my mentors, advisors, partners and friends in this journey," he said. "With my wonderful current and former police officers, who over the many years have given me their wisdom, support and generosity. I share this award with my dedicated partners and brothers in arms in the Michigan Army National Guard. I share this award with the generous donors and community volunteers who give so kindly of their time, talent and resources. I share this award with the young people we serve who inspire us about the future and make us care about our legacy."
A native of Los Angeles, Simpson was raised in Jackson and is a graduate of Jackson High School. He began his career with the Jackson Police Department in 1991 as a police cadet and attended Lansing Community College's police academy.
Promoted to patrol officer in 1992, he was assigned to the C.R.A.C drug enforcement unit from 1994 until 1998, and served as the liaison officer for Jackson High School from 1998 until 2000. He was then assigned to the current drug enforcement team JNET in 1999. In 2001, Simpson was promoted to sergeant and was assigned as the Jackson Police Department's training coordinator from 2003 until 2006.
He served on the Jackson Special Response team from 1993 until 2010, and is currently a member of the Jackson Police Department Honor Guard and serves as coordinator. In June 2008, he was promoted to lieutenant.
"I enjoy working here because the Jackson Police Department believed in me when I was just 23 years old," he said. "They gave me a chance to do something great for the City of Jackson by giving me an oath of office as a police officer. For that I'm very grateful.
"I enjoy servicing a community that I grew up in. I know and understand Jackson, I respect and love my city, and I find it rewarding to be a part of the 'solution' to the challenges we face in our community."
Simpson, who holds a bachelor's and master's degree from Spring Arbor University in Business Management and Business Administration respectively, graduated from Northwestern University School of Staff and Command in 1995. In 2011 he graduated from the National FBI Academy in Quantico Va.; and that same year attended and graduated from the New Chief School through the Michigan Chiefs Association.
A command sergeant major in the Michigan Army National Guard, he is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is an adjunct professor at Baker College, and is a lifetime member of the Jackson County NAACP.
"Jackson has a lot to offer for families great recreational things to do in our parks, great schools, great community stakeholders and a great citizenry who genuinely care about our community," he said. "I honestly cannot call my occupation a 'job' because it's more like a lifestyle of helping others by building bridges of opportunity for others in our community."
Published: Thu, Apr 30, 2015
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