TS MY Word - Puzzled and concerned over DA's dismissal of Jackson

Puzzled and concerned over DA's dismissal of Jackson
My Word by Dave Parris The Times-Standard
Friday, February 13,2004

I have been a detective in Humboldt County for 20 years, and in law enforcement for 27. In all of those years, I have rarely seen decisions made that so clearly and negatively impact the safety and well-being of our community as the dismissal of Allison Jackson from the District Attorney's Office.

Allison Jackson has served as a senior prosecuting attorney for 10 years in this county. Her relationship with law enforcement is one of mutual respect and dependence. Seasoned detectives and patrol officers gladly work with her to provide tight, thorough investigations. Younger, less-experienced officers have sought her instruction and advice, resulting in an educated force dedicated to finding the truth. She continually cross-trains with law enforcement, developing professional relationships with individuals while learning what law enforcement has to teach, never assuming she stands in place of investigators, but instead, at their side.

Allison Jackson has been a front-runner in this county for promoting investigative and prosecutorial procedures which keep in mind the complexity of child abuse dynamics, the sensitivity surrounding the details of a case, and the inherent strengths of child witnesses. She has participated in the Child Abuse Services Team, the Sexual Assault Response Team, and Child Death Review, all with the intention of keeping Humboldt County's awareness of child abuse sharply in focus. She actively seeks out and implements state-of-the-art practices formed around laws that protect our youngest victims. Child examinations, whether in the form of an interview, a medical procedure or testimony have been uncompromisingly guarded by Allison, as she requires her colleagues and her opponents to maintain standards of practice much higher than those held across the state.

Allison Jackson is a seasoned, winning litigator. Noted as a "bulldog" by law enforcement and defense teams alike, she aggressively charges, resolute in her responsibility to hold people accountable for crimes they committed. The defense teams who speak against her do so for her disinclination to plea-bargain away counts of criminal activity she can prove occurred. When Jackson knows she can protect a child for 10 or 15 years more by going to trial instead of plea-bargaining, she'll do it. She lays waste to "defense experts" who are paid high prices to tear down child victims and keeps their often outdated, irrelevant testimony out of a trial. Prosecuting to the fullest extent possible, while upholding the integrity of the judicial system, is the earmark of a talented, committed attorney.

I am astounded at the decision to dismiss Allison Jackson. For 10 years she has prosecuted child molesters, and of those cases she has had one hung jury, no other losses. Her partnership with law enforcement is outstanding, and more importantly, necessary to the ongoing development of well-balanced investigations. Her commitment to children and families has repeatedly drawn praise from public and private organizations, as well as the Board of Supervisors.

I am confused. In April of this year, in the month of Child Abuse Awareness, Paul Gallegos stood in front of the Board of Supervisors and invited Allison to speak on behalf of his office. He followed that invitation by handing her the proclamation from the Board of Supervisors which applauded the efforts of the Child Abuse Services Team. In doing so, he publicly recognized her in particular, among all the team members surrounding him.

And finally, I am devastated at the loss this represents to the professional and private communities of Humboldt County. With one less outstanding deputy district attorney, the quality of service will diminish. The talent and skill she brought to the DA's office is lost to this county. And this over a "personnel matter."

Was the matter of her dismissal "personnel" or "personal?"

The community deserves an answer.

Dave Parris is a detective with the Eureka Police Department. He lives in Eureka.