chief chris snyder
Chief Snyder started with the South Salt Lake Police Department in February of 1991. He was assigned to the DEA Metro Narcotics Task Force for a period of four years and also worked on the S.W.A.T. Team and Motors Unit.
He was promoted to Sergeant in 1998 and revamped the department’s Field Training Program for newly hired officers. In March of 2002, Chief Snyder was promoted to Captain over patrol operations. He also managed the Internal Affairs Unit as well as recruitment and hiring. While over internal affairs, he revised department policy and the complaint taking process to ensure thorough tracking and investigation of all complaints.
In addition to overseeing patrol, Chief Snyder served as a Public Information Officer. He was appointed to Chief of Police in January of 2007 and became the 17th Chief of the department.
Chief Snyder currently oversees a department with 62 sworn officers, 10 civilian employees, and many part-time employees and volunteers. The crime rate in South Salt Lake has dropped 30% during Chief Snyder’s tenure leading the department.
His previous and current committee assignments include:
- 2012 - Region 3 Vice President - Utah Chiefs of Police Association
- 2009 Chairperson - Salt Lake Valley Law Enforcement and Administrators (LEADS)
- 2009-10 Vice Chairperson - Valley Emergency Communications Center Board of Operations (VECC)
- 2011 Chairperson - Valley Emergency Communications Center Board of Operations (VECC)
- 2009 Member - Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Advisory Council (SLCO CJAC)
- Current Member - International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Public Information Officers Section
- Current Member - South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Business Education Committee
- Current Member - South Salt Lake Police Athletic League Executive Board (SSL PAL)
- Current Member – FBI National Academy Associates
Chief Snyder was recognized by the Utah Council on Victims of Crime in 2007 for his dedication to victim’s services and by the Utah Chief’s of Police Association in 2009 as the Small Agency Police Chief of the Year. He is also a graduate of the 15th session of the FBI Intermountain Law Enforcement Executive Command College and the 239th session of the FBI National Academy.
Chief Chris Snyder named Small Agency Police Chief
South Salt Lake Police Chief Chris Snyder was named Small Agency Police Chief of the Year by the Utah Chiefs of Police Association. The honor was given to him at the South Salt Lake City Council Meeting on May 13th.
During 2008, Chief Snyder led a department which had numerous high profile events including the abduction and murder of a 7 year old refugee girl and a horrific quadruple murder-suicide involving two children as victims. Both of these events dominated local headlines and made national news as well. Through it all, Chief Snyder notes that the men and women of the South Salt Lake Police Department performed with the utmost professionalism, compassion, and dedication he had ever seen.
With the spotlight on him and his department, Chief Snyder represented all of law enforcement and especially the Chiefs of Police with true professionalism and integrity.
His performance under pressure was admirable as he experienced more in one year as a Chief than many will see in their entire career. To top things off, South Salt Lake saw a 14% drop in crime during 2008 as well. It is for these reasons that Chief Snyder was recognized as The Small Agency Police Chief of the Year by the Utah Chiefs of Police Association.