Robert Jackson - Chief Investigator

As Chief Investigator, Robert Jackson leads the Harris County District Attorney’s Office’s Investigative Bureau, which is made up of veteran law enforcement officers recruited from throughout Texas. He has had an extensive career in law enforcement and has been a licensed attorney for more than 10 years.  

Robert joined the Houston Police Department in 1985 after graduating from the Houston Police Academy Class #129 as class president. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1989 and served in a variety of positions at that rank, including head of the mayor’s security detail for six years; supervisor of a divisional tactical unit responsible for street-level narcotics investigations, auto-theft sting operations, street-level vice investigations and the execution of felony arrest and search warrants; and in a divisional Internal Affairs unit where he investigated complaints of misconduct by classified HPD employees.

After being promoted to Lieutenant, he was assigned to HPD’s Night Commander position where he served as the direct representative of the Chief of Police at high-profile and large-scale incidents occurring during nighttime or weekend hours.

During his 25 years of service with HPD, Robert received HPD’s Meritorious Service Award for exceptional valor under fire, two Chief of Police Unit Citations, and various letters of commendation from superior officers and citizens. He also received specialized training through the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Department of State and graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy. While serving as a peace officer, he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Houston-Downtown and earned a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center, graduating with honors.

After retiring from HPD in 2010, Robert served as Chief of Staff for (former) City Councilman C.O. “Brad” Bradford and as Chief Policy Officer for the Houston First Corp. He also served as an Associate Judge for the City of Houston Municipal Court System from 2013-15, where he presided over arraignments and other criminal court proceedings relating to city ordinance and state code violations. He joined the Harris County District Attorney’s Office as Chief Investigator in January 2021. 

Robert is a U.S. Army Veteran, having served his country as a member of the Military Police Corps in both the continental United States and in Europe.

He is active in the community, having volunteered as board member and president of the 250-square-mile Emergency Services District 11, as an American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow and as a member of the American Inns of Court.