The type of criminals that Detective Bryan Jackson goes after aren’t typically fleeing on foot or hiding on a drug corner. They’re behind a desk or at a keyboard, sometimes in another state or another country.
Jackson is part of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit (ECU), where he specializes in investigating deed fraud, cybertheft and other economic crimes. Jackson joined the office in 1998 following a stint with the Philadelphia Police Department and is retiring after 32 years of service to the City of Philadelphia.
“It’s been a great experience. You get to be part of something that a lot of people only get to see in Hollywood,” said Jackson, who grew up in North Philadelphia and graduated from Mastbaum High School before attending Delaware State University. “You get to deal with real people and real investigations.”
A former property tax analyst, Jackson switched careers and joined the police department after his company relocated. He spent five years there before transitioning to the DAO, thanks in large part to his ability to track paperwork and follow the money in investigations. He has obtained several certifications in wiretapping, computer analytics and forensics.
Jackson said he is grateful for the training he has received and credits the office with recognizing the increasing threat of economic crimes, particularly targeting seniors. The ECU has won more than $8 million in restitution for victims since 2018.
“Cyber theft is a billion-dollar industry,” Jackson noted. “And it’s easier because a person doesn’t have to walk into a bank and shoot it up. If they can get $75,000 from you through an email, that’s easier.”
Jackson said he rues the fact that many of the victims he sees are seniors, some of whom have lost all or much of their life savings to scammers and online predators. The trauma of those stories stays with him, he said.
“Trauma is not always physical,” he said. “You’re watching a 70-year-old person’s savings going out the window and there is nothing you can do.”
Tracking down white-collar criminals can be much more difficult than traditional criminals. They are often adept at covering their tracks and using loopholes in the system, which can lead to lengthy and winding investigations.
“Every file I get, I read everything, and then you find more. I had this one deed job, I thought it was done. We had 10 houses, the warrants were done and we were ready to go. Then the last individual I interviewed, she gave me 20 more houses. Now I’ve got to find 20 more people and track down that paperwork.”
As for his retirement plans, Jackson said he wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city and settle down on a farm. But he isn’t likely to be idle for long. Jackson’s mind is constantly working, which has helped him be successful in a non-traditional role in law enforcement.
“When I set out to do something, I’m going to do it,” he said. “I knew I wasn’t going to be a cop on the street all my life. I always knew there was something technical about me that my skills would take me down a different path.”