Today we’d like to introduce you to Rodney Jacobs Jr.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Rodney. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
For me, the stars aligned to come to South Florida and embark on this life-changing journey. After graduating from law school from the University of Dayton in 2015, I joined the United States Army Reserve as a Military Intelligence Officer. This process was an entire year of leadership development, overcoming adversity, and various experiences in resiliency. After completing military training, I knew I wanted to move back to Florida where I completed my high school years, yet I was a bit unsure of the location. I knew I wanted to be closer to my now wife, Ramona, and finish both of my Master’s Degrees in Public Health, and Public Administration. Therefore, I begin searching for opportunities in Florida where I could highlight my legal, healthcare, and public administration skill set. It wasn’t long before a long time friend, who I once interned for, informed me of an opportunity to work in Miami in Police Oversight. From there, the rest is history. I have been working in Miami now for almost two years, in a profession that pushes me emotionally and professionally.
Has it been a smooth road?
Absolutely, Not! But nothing worth having is ever smooth, or as anticipated. My life has been a constant battle with wins and losses. My perseverance and determination come from my steadfast belief in God and knowing that if one door closes, another one full of more success and opportunity is right around the corner. From taking the bar exam, undergraduate studies, commissioning as an Army officer, and my master’s degrees in public health and public administration, nothing came easy! Truthfully, I have lost more than I have won, but with every failure, I gained insight that is vital to who I am now. By learning to “champion the process” of life, my struggle to success became more reflective and tolerant.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I truly love and enjoy working as the Assistant Director for the Civilian Investigative Panel (“CIP”). One of the main focuses of our department is to let the public know that there are other options when confronting abusive police practices. Typically, individuals rely mainly on the Courts and Protest. Not saying these aren’t suitable forms to voice or file a complaint, however, the standards of proof vary, and because of that, police go unpunished for questionable or illegal activities. Civilian Oversight groups over the past five years received a boast in notice do to President Obama’s tasking of the USDOJ and final report on the beneficial aspects of civilian oversight. The report also shows how states can employ oversight practices. In Miami, our department does private investigations, independent of Police Department Internal Affairs office, thereby giving us a different scope of latitude and depth. Our office supports a panel of volunteers each appointed by the Mayor, City Commissioners, and the Chief of Police.
These impartial citizens of Miami view cases that have been investigated with our office and come to a verdict on the facts of the complaint. What does this mean for the community? Our panel, as well as the Miami Police, hold a heavy emphasis on community policing. We understand that a good cohesive relationship between the police and community help tear down implicit basis and preconceived notions. Lastly, by no means should the CIP be seen a as a unit “out to get police” or not understanding the plight and real dangers police face on an everyday basis. Here, we are simply holding police accountable for their responsibilities. These responsibilities are not new, uncertain, or hidden. They are the exact same moral basis that may have empowered police to sign up. Our simple plea is for officers to be held accountable for abusive of authority, and negligent infractions. Nothing more, nothing less. We believe that the police force in Miami is one of the best in the nation and to uphold that standard we cannot allow our world-class police force to be tainted by a couple of bad apples, by doing so we undermine the public trust. This notion is not one that the CIP alone stands on, I’d imagine it is one shared by every officer working the beat and doing their job the right way.
My military work is also engaging and challenging. I’m currently, the Officer In Charge of our intelligence operations for our Battalion. The Battalion does peacekeeping operations in various countries throughout the world. It is great work, and truly rewarding!
If you had to start over, what would you have done differently?
Nothing, everything that has happened good or bad, has prepared me for this moment of responsibility. The good news is that I have more good years ahead of me, and I truly feel fortunate to be at this position at such a young age. I have always been a proponent of public service, especially in the legal component. Considering all of the matters concerning police misconduct in our society, police oversight provided the catalyst for me to get directly involved in helping to provide positive change for the citizens in the City of Miami. To this end, I hope to continue to learn and listen to provide practical, positive impact to those who need it the most, and uphold my unequivocal responsibility to justice.
Contact Info:
- Website: miamigov.com/cip
- Phone: 305-960-4951
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @rwjacobsjr
- Facebook: Civlian Investigative Panel
- LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/jacobsrw
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