Jack A. Cole
Born (1938-10-09) October 9, 1938 (age 85)
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of Massachusetts Boston
OccupationUndercover police detective
Known forLaw Enforcement Action Partnership

Jack A. Cole (born October 9, 1938) is a retired Detective Lieutenant who worked for the New Jersey State Police for 26 years. For twelve of those years, he worked as an undercover narcotics officer. Cole was the first executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, now known as Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), an organization comprising former and current police officers, government agents and other law enforcement agents who advocate for justice reform and oppose the current War on Drugs. Cole served as LEAP's executive director from 2002 - 2010.[1][2][3]

Early life and education

Cole attended Wichita High School East and received a master's degree from University of Massachusetts Boston.[4]

Life and activism

Jack Cole has taught courses to police recruits and veteran officers on ethics, integrity, moral decision-making, and the detrimental effects of racial profiling. Cole and his wife reside in Boston, Massachusetts.[5][6]

Cole spoke internationally for LEAP, and has written several articles about drug-policy reform. He holds a degree in Criminal Justice and a master's degree in Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts. Cole believes race and gender bias by police, police brutality, and corruption in law enforcement can begin to be solved by ending drug prohibition.[7]

References

  1. ^ Topping, Alexandra (September 11, 2007). "Badge of honour: From undercover US drugs cop to anti-prohibitionist? More and more people are asking Jack Cole how that transformation came about". The Guardian.
  2. ^ "Drug war takes a flying LEAP". Los Angeles Times. September 21, 2007.
  3. ^ Cole, Jack A. (August 24, 2014). "End the prohibition of heroin: A cop's experience tells him the drug war is doing more harm than good". The Boston Globe.
  4. ^ Smith, Phillip (August 21, 2002). "Jack Cole Interview" (PDF). DRCNet.
  5. ^ "Cops Say Legalize Drugs: Former Enforcers Tour Rhode Island Calling for an End to Drug Prohibition". Students for Sensible Drug Policy. November 7, 2003.
  6. ^ "The Angel Clark Show with Co-Founder of (LEAP) Jack Cole: The TRUTH About Drug Prohibition". RadioFreedom.us. February 5, 2013. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  7. ^ "Christians Against Prohibition: Part 1 Jack Cole at Cannabis Colloquium". Thinking CAP. February 1, 2012. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
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