Bob Barker Company attended the 42nd American Jail Association Conference & Jail Expo in Omaha, Nebraska, May 20-24. In addition to hosting a booth, we were proud to sponsor six of the winners of the annual Awards Banquet. Learn more about this year’s winners below, and in our upcoming posts.
AJA Correctional Officer of the Year
Eric Peters
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
West Palm Beach, Florida
Corporal Eric Peters joined the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office in 2009 as a Deputy Sheriff. Prior to PBSO, he was a Sergeant at Everglades Correctional Institution. During his tenure, he was a Security Sergeant in charge of all activities and movement of the compound with the assistance of other sergeants and staff.
Over the course of his 14-and-a-half-year career, he’s worked with several deputies and supervisors. In May 2020, he assumed the Corporal’s role at the Main Detention Center to help improve the quality of training new deputies and to help with the overall knowledge of the corrections field. In 2021, he successfully executed an unofficial relationship with the Gang Unit and Violent Crimes Agents, helping them gather intelligence on Cash App, Zelle, and other cash trading applications involving fraud.
Since joining PBSO, the most rewarding part has been training and becoming a part of a search team that volunteers to search for weapons and contraband throughout the facility. As the Corporal, he is responsible for training and roll call trainings while on duty and sometimes off duty. Corporal Peters’ approach to his work is largely inspired by passion, which you will find reflected in his work and dedication. He believes that being a productive corrections officer requires dedication and integrity. In his role as a deputy at PBSO, he aspires to live up to this notion by communication, performance, and teamwork. He has developed a deep understanding of people over his 21 years in the corrections industry. As a corrections professional, he takes pride in his work and thrives on input from others.
He currently lives in Boynton Beach, Florida, with his wife and children.
AJA Correctional Training Officer of the Year
LaToya Jackson, MCJ, BCJ
Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office
Fort Worth, Texas
Lieutenant LaToya Jackson is currently employed by the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office. Her current duty assignment is Administrative Lieutenant, which oversees the Field Training Officer (FTO) Program, Kitchen Services, and all Detention Armories. Lieutenant Jackson started her career with the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office on April 1, 2008, as a detention officer. In 2012, she was promoted to Security Control Specialist, then promoted to Housing Sergeant. In 2018, she was promoted to Housing Lieutenant. Working in a top-level position entails many responsibilities, integrity, and dedication. Some of her assignments in detention are: Special Management Supervisor, Watch Commander, Field Training Supervisor, Weapons and Armory Supervisor, Kitchen Supervisor, and K-9-unit Supervisor for detention.
She currently holds a Master Detention Officer License, Field Training Officer License, as well as being a TCOLE Licensed Instructor, and a Pepper Ball Instructor. In 2021, Lieutenant Jackson won the 4th Quarter Award of Excellence from the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office.
As an undergraduate, Lieutenant Jackson was a double major and received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Political Science from Midwestern State University. In 2014, she received her master’s degree in criminal justice with a specialization in Public Safety Administration from Capella University. She is a graduate of the National Jail Leadership Command Academy Class #42.
During her career and educational experiences, she was blessed with having four children: two boys and two girls.
