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Jamie S. Blankenship began her career at the Jackson Police Department on September 26, 1979 when she was hired as a PBX Operator and later was moved to the Communications Division as a Senior Dispatcher and Trainer.

On April 1, 1984, Jamie became a sworn Police Officer and was one of the first Field Training Officers selected after the Field Training Program was implemented in the early 1980's.  Officer Blankenship then went on to become an Instructor with the Field Training Program.

During the span of Officer Blankenship's career she was a Crime Scene Technician and a POST Certified Instructor in the areas of Officer Survival Spanish and Domestic Violence.  She authored the Domestic Violence Policy for the Department in 1992 and added to that policy as well as adapted several others for use in a proposed condensed Patrol Manual in 2014.  

Officer Blankenship assisted other agencies by teaching surrounding departments In-Service Training.  She was also invited as a public speaker to numerous clubs, organizations and civic events. Officer Blankenship was chosen to attend the Basic and Advanced Spanish For Law Enforcement Immersion Schools in Arzona and the Arkansa Highway Patrrol Academy.  As a result of this exclusive training, Officer Blankenship was called upon to assist other agencies, as well as several area courts to translate between suspect(s), witness(es) and victim(s) and the entity that was trying to provide services to them.

In March 1999, then Officer Blankenship was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and later in September 2009, she was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant all of which was served in the Patrol Division.  Lt. Blankenship served as the Patrol Commander for the North District.

Lt. Blankenship also served as a Hostage Negotiatior for 15 years and a member of the department Debriefing and Peer Support Team which lead her to represent the Jackson Police Department as a debriefer when she accompanied a debriefing team to Gulfport, MS in 2005 following hurricane Katrina.  Lt. Blankenship also served on the department's Homeless Outreach Team and was a certified Crisis Intervention Team Member.  She was also selected as Employee of the Month in August 1997.

Lt. Jamie Blankenship retired on September 26, 2014 after serving 35 years with the Jackson Police Department.