Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Al Blanton and Courtesy of David Mize
The Jasper Police Department’s very own Captain David Mize graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on June 6, 2024. Mize was among 201 officers who completed the 290th session of the Academy, a rigorous 10-week program that focuses on advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training for law enforcement executives from around the world.
Mize is a native of Jasper and a 1998 graduate of Walker High School whose journey into law enforcement was inspired by his military service. “As soon as I got out of basic training, I was deployed for two years as a Military Police officer in the Army National Guard. That experience inspired me to pursue a career in law enforcement upon returning home,” he says.
Starting his career at the Walker County Sheriff’s Office, Mize later joined the Jasper Police Department (JPD) in 2005 and was promoted to Captain seven years ago. His decision to attend the FBI National Academy came after years of encouragement from peers. “I completed the application four years ago, and learning that I had been accepted last summer was incredibly exciting. It’s hard to explain,” Mize recounts.
Mize says that one of the most enriching aspects of the Academy was the opportunity to network with international law enforcement officers, which provided him with diverse perspectives on law enforcement methods. The program also emphasized media training, community engagement, and contemporary issues facing law enforcement.
The experience also included student-led trips to New York and Philadelphia, where the class explored various specialized law enforcement units and participated in real-time training exercises. These experiences highlighted the importance of understanding and addressing law enforcement challenges from a broader perspective.
“What was really brought to life for me during this time is that the issues that are being faced in other jurisdictions, specifically outside the United States, make a lot of scenarios that I used to get worked up over seem not quite so big,” he says.
Outside of work, Captain Mize cherishes his time with his family – his wife Amanda and their five children – enjoying the outdoors and local community events. He says that, by far, the most challenging part of attending the Academy was being away from his loved ones for ten weeks.
With his return, Captain Mize is eager to apply his newly acquired skills to enhance community engagement and foster stronger relationships between the Jasper Police Department and the community it serves, and he thanks the community for their support.
“The support from my family, colleagues, and community has been instrumental in my journey through the National Academy,” he says. “The decision to serve in my hometown of Jasper was driven by the fact that I just love this town and always have.” WL
