Jesse Carr works in trust and reputation, risk and issues management public relations at Amazon. Prior to this role, he served as the Senior Public Information Officer for the Dallas Police Department, where he led high-profile media relations, managed crisis communications, and supported executive leadership on public messaging strategy for one of the nation’s largest police departments. In this role, Jesse was responsible for coordinating with local and national media, overseeing internal and external communications during critical incidents, and developing proactive messaging to support community trust and transparency.
Before his time with Dallas PD, Jesse served as a sergeant with the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Police Department, where he led communications and community engagement efforts. He served as the department’s PIO, SWAT operator, tactical medical instructor, firearms instructor, and was instrumental in securing the department’s acceptance into the ABLE (Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement) program, later becoming a regional ABLE instructor and advocate for ethical policing.
Jesse also serves as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, with two overseas deployments: one year to INDOPACOM and one year in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
He began his law enforcement career in 2013 as a 911 dispatcher at SMU and became a licensed Texas Peace Officer in 2016, graduating valedictorian from the Cedar Valley Law Enforcement Academy. From 2022 to 2024, he served as Vice Chair of the Public Information Officers Section for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), supporting nearly 300 public safety communications professionals worldwide through training, strategic messaging guidance, and policy development.
Jesse holds a B.A. in Journalism from SMU, earned while serving in the Marine Corps and working full-time. He has previously volunteered with Heroes in Action, the Civil Air Patrol, the Marine Corps League, and the SMU Military Veterans Student Organization.
His military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with mobilization device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with device, and the Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal with bronze service star. He has also received two Certificates of Commendation and two Meritorious Masts. In law enforcement, he is the recipient of four SMU Police Department commendations, one certificate of merit, and was named SMU PD’s Officer of the Year in 2017.
Jesse Carr 