Change The Way You Think About Cops: My Interview With Deputy Sneed

There’s too many generalizations from this generation of students about their local sheriffs in their area. With rising movements like Black Lives Matter (one of several groups who allegedly try to combat police brutality), it seems to get harder for students to actually realize the sacrifices our men and women in blue make to keep our areas safe.

One bad apple in the bunch is unfortunately making the headlines and reeling in the men and women whom patrol the streets into that horrible stereotype. Fortunately enough, I was able to get in contact with Deputy Sneed of the Palmdale Sheriff Station to ultimately get his opinion on the matter as well as prove to myself that cops are just like you and I.

I grew up amongst men in the military- so I understood that with every active duty dispatch there’s a chance of them not returning. However, what I didn’t understand was that the families of police officers go through the very same thing every day.

“When you put on that uniform everyday, you wear it knowing the risk you’re going to make for the job that you do” Sneed stated. This was bone-chilling to me as an aspiring journalist, knowing very well I won’t have to make the sacrifice of risking it all for the job that I love.

“It really scared my family at first with me being the first in my family to be within law enforcement, but after a while they got into the rhythm of it and got used to it.”

Blue Lives Matter and Black Lives Matter seem to clash a ton on their ideology, both in which can affect someone like Mr. Sneed as an African American sheriff.

“Certain groups of people tend to loosen up around me, however what the majority of people simply don’t understand is that we’re here to HELP you. We’re here to serve, not hurt you unless you don’t comply with orders.”

I personally believe that the media tries to paint cops as the “bad guy”- publishing more “bad apples” in the bunch as previously stated than the mass amounts of great people. However whilst interviewing sneed I couldn’t help but notice his overwhelming humbleness, as well as everyone else’s in the office that day.

“If you comply with us and do everything we’re telling you to do- there’s no problem. You did what you were supposed to do.”

Police men and women complete an average of 40 hours a week- but this doesn’t include emergency call-outs and other 24 hour public services. This means when you come home to relax after a hard day of work, there’s always a great chance they’ll be called out for work again. This is painstaking and time consuming work. Not to mention these people have families of their own that this might take away time from.

“My advice to those looking to get into law enforcement is that you should keep a clean record, keep great credit, and remain physically fit- as these are main things you’ll need when entering the police academy.”

Deputy Sneed will be on campus May 17th at 9:00am within the Hangar. If you see him along with the other deputies that morning, thank them for their service and their ability to keep the city safe. They work their tails off working for our community and deserve the utmost respect.