Christopher P. Snyder was sworn in as a sergeant for the Urbana Police Division during Tuesday’s Urbana City Council meeting.
Born and raised in Urbana, Snyder, 47, is the son of Phillip and Dianne Snyder. A graduate of Urbana High School, class of 1987, Snyder received his certification as a basic police officer from the Clark State Police Academy in January 1993.
He was hired by the Urbana Police Division on Dec. 25, 1994.
In 1999, Snyder was selected to become the first school resource officer from the division, serving in the Urbana school system until 2002.
Snyder is a firearms and less lethal weapons instructor as well as a crisis negotiator and field training officer for the division. He has received numerous awards and recognition throughout his career including:
•2013 Chief Challenge Coin winner for presentations throughout the city of the active shooter program “ALICE”.
•2012 Life Saving Award for actions taken during a large apartment complex fire on Finch Street.
•2004 commendations for his handling of an armed suicidal man. Snyder talked him into surrendering the weapon and himself and took the man to be treated for depression.
Snyder was promoted Aug. 2 by Urbana Director of Administration Kerry Brugger.
Snyder and his wife, Mary Kay, are the parents of Courtney. His wife held the family Bible as the Oath of Office was given to Snyder by Mayor Bill Bean.
Prior to Tuesday’s swearing-in, Urbana Police Chief Matt Lingrell told a story involving him stopping and ticketing Snyder in 1990 for a speeding violation, prior to him joining the division.
Lingrell said it was during that traffic stop that the two of them discussed Snyder’s dream of becoming a police officer and he encouraged Snyder to consider Urbana as the place to help his community.
Lingrell said Snyder and his wife share his appreciation for involvement in police outreach efforts.
Lingrell said that Snyder, being the first school resource officer, helped him to develop lifelong professional relationships with students and staff, relationships that serve him and the division well because of Snyder’s efforts and easygoing nature.
Snyder is assigned as the 2 to 10 p.m. patrol shift supervisor.
At the conclusion of Snyder’s swearing-in, a short reception followed in the police conference room with cake and refreshments.
