A Safer Kentucky Home

Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith L. Jackson speaks on the Beshear-Coleman Administration’s Commitment to enhancing public and officer safety

In this episode, Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson discusses the steps taken by the Beshear-Coleman administration to create a safer Kentucky, protect law enforcement, strengthen communication with public safety leaders and enhance law enforcement training.



About Our Guest

Keith Jackson, Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary

Since February 2024, Keith Jackson has served as Secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. Immediately prior to stepping into this leadership role, Jackson served as the cabinet's deputy secretary. He understands the cabinet's critical role in creating safer communities for all and works to ensure the safety and security of Kentucky communities through an approach centered on protecting citizens, restoring victims, and reforming wrongdoers – all in a focused environment where everything is measured for accountability and performance.

Prior to joining the cabinet, Secretary Jackson served as commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs where he was the Governor's representative and advisor on all veterans-related matters and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department. Before joining state government, Secretary Jackson served for 27 years in the U.S. Army Reserves in numerous capacities ranging from platoon leader to Battalion Commander. During his career, he served in Iraq and earned the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Combat Action Badge. In addition to his military service, he served for 24 years with the Lexington Fire Department, first as a firefighter before working as an Emergency Medical Technician and working his way up through the department’s ranks. In 2012, he made history by becoming the first African American appointed as Chief of the Lexington Division of Fire and Emergency Services.


The Bluegrass Beat is recorded and produced by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Public Information Office, a proud member of Team Kentucky.

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Music by Digital Juice and StackTraxx.


Critley King-Smith