MACLEA welcomes aboard three new staff members!
Jim Weber
Jim Weber is an Instructor with Mineral Area College, Criminal Justice Department and the Law Enforcement Academy. Jim earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice at Southeast Missouri State University and is currently working toward his Master's in Criminal Justice.
Jim is a retired Special Agent with 22 years of experience working for the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. Prior to becoming a Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security, Jim was a special agent with the United States Customs Service and a graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Academy in Glynco, Georgia. He has extensive investigative experience in international narcotics smuggling and trafficking, money laundering, criminal gang activity, national security and domestic and international terrorism. Jim was a Certified Undercover Operative with the Department of Homeland Security and has substantial experience in undercover investigations. Jim had lengthy assignments to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force, as well as their Violent Crime Safe Streets Task Force. With local, state and federal experience, Jim has 30 years overall law enforcement and investigative experience.
Jim joined MACLEA in 2022 as a full-time instructor for our criminal justice and academy students. Prior to that, he was an adjunct instructor with the MAC law enforcement academy.
Jason Fitzwater
Jason has been an adjunct instructor for MACLEA since 2006 but was hired as a full-time academy instructor in January 2023.
Jason Fitzwater – is a 2001 graduate of the law enforcement academy in Bradenton, Florida. Jason began his career with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy, FTO, Homicide Detective, and SWAT team member. Jason became a firearms instructor in 2006, and spent twelve years of his career in Florida. In 2012, Jason moved back home to Missouri where he worked for the Fredericktown Police Department. While at Fredericktown Jason worked as a patrol officer, FTO, Detective, Patrol Sergeant, and formed the agency's SWAT team. Jason has been an adjunct instructor at Mineral Area College since 2013 specializing in patrol tactics, and firearms. In 2018, Jason started his own company and has traveled all over North America training thousands of law enforcement officers in counter ambush, firearms, and active shooter courses. Jason retired as a Chief of Police in 2020.
Zak Jackson
Zak has been an adjunct instructor for MACLEA since 2015 but was hired as a full-time academy instructor in January 2023.
Zak is a 20 year + retired veteran of the U.S. Navy SEAL Teams 1, 2, and Naval Special Warfare Development Group - SEAL Team 6. During 11 separate combat deployments awarded four Bronze Stars, three with V for Valor, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and other joint service commendations for honorable service. A master training specialist responsible for curriculum development and instruction on multiple programs for Tier 1 SOCOM, Office of Naval Intelligence, During his time as an Anti-terrorism Assistance Instructor with US State Department, his role assessed the training needs, advised on the development of curriculum, and aided in facilitating resources to conduct the training for Crisis Response teams, Bomb Detection, Crime Scene Investigation, Airport and Building security, Rural Border Patrol/Security, and Protection of National Leaders, to include local law enforcement. As an adjunct instructor for Mineral Area Law Enforcement Academy providing instruction in firearms training, tactical operations, and CLEE Missouri P.O.S.T. curriculum development.