Latest News

Vincennes University Holding 4th Annual Blazers Give Day on April 4th Town of Shoals Annual Clean-Up Days Set for May Purdue Extension Dubois County to Host Spring Fling in April INDOT Announces Alternating Lane Closure for U.S. 231 Near Haysville Gov. Holcomb Signs Executive Order For Total Solar Eclipse

The Jasper Police Department has a new leader.

During this morning’s Jasper Board of Public Works and Safety meeting Jasper Clerk Treasurer Juanita Boehm swore in 16 year department veteran Nathan Schmitt as the City of Jasper’s new Chief of Police.

The 44-year old is a 1991 graduate of Jasper High School. He received his Associates degree in Law Enforcement at Vincennes University and graduated from Indiana University Police Academy. He began his career as an IUPUI Campus Police Officer as well as a Lafayette Police Officer, before returning to Jasper to work for the Jasper Police Department in 2001.

Schmitt was promoted to Sergeant in 2006 and then became the Assistant Chief of Police in 2009.
He is also a DARE officer, Certified Instructor, member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Team Leader for the Dubois County Emergency Response Team, and a Board Member for Local Emergency Planning Committee.

Schmitt fills the position left open with the unexpected death of former chief Mike Bennett who passed away August 25th at the age of 70.

Bennett had served as Chief of Police since 2012.

Jasper mayor Terry Seitz says over the course of the last week, he sought input from the senior officers in the Jasper Police Department.

The mayor said those conversations and others confirmed that Chief Bennett left a very strong organization.

He says obviously, as his second –in- command, Schmitt played a key role in the development of the force and he was a natural choice to become the new Chief.

Nathan and his wife, Allison, have three children.

He is involved as a coach for youth sports, is a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Moose Lodge.

Schmitt begins his duties immediately. The Selection of a new assistant chief will be among the first steps taken.

Chief Schmitt being swore in by Jasper Clerk Treasurer Juanita Boehm

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *