John A. Blackburn Jr.
Executive Director
Arizona Criminal Justice Commission
(602) 364-1171
John A. Blackburn Jr. was appointed as the Executive Director of the Arizona Criminal
Justice Commission (ACJC) in July 2004, after working for the commission for more
than two years as the program manager over legislation, policy, and human resources.
Prior to working for ACJC, Mr. Blackburn served over 20 years with the Mesa Police
Department and retired as the lieutenant over Planning and Analysis in November
2000. For nearly 15 years Mr. Blackburn has been actively involved in the state
legislative process; first as a legislative liaison for the Mesa Police Department,
and later as a registered lobbyist for the City of Mesa, the Arizona Association
of Chiefs of Police, and the Arizona Sheriff’s Association. He was part of a team
of legislative liaisons recognized by the State of Arizona for its work on criminal
justice issues.
Mr. Blackburn earned his master's degree in Organizational Management in 2000 and
his bachelor's degree in business in 1996. Mr. Blackburn is a trained facilitator
and has led meetings and sessions on numerous subjects from minority issues, continuous
quality improvement, facilities security, to budget processes for departments within
the City of Mesa and various law enforcement agencies throughout Arizona. He is
a member of the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators,
International Association of Chiefs of Police, Arizona Association of Chiefs of
Police, and the International Police Association.
Mr. Blackburn actively serves on several committees including the National Criminal
Justice Association’s Executive Board and its Advisory Council, the Arizona Peace
Officers Memorial Board, the Cross Border Communications Committee, the DNA and
Forensic Technology Task Force, the U.S. Attorney’s District of Arizona Law Enforcement
Coordinating Committee, the Drug and Gang Policy subcommittee, the ACJC Executive
Steering Committee. He also serves as a member of Arizona’s Homeland Security Cabinet.