Ames Police Officer Eric Snyder was elected as president of the Iowa State Police Association, the largest law enforcement association in Iowa. He will be president until October 2014.

Snyder, who graduated from Iowa State, has been a member of the State Police Association since 2007. Snyder is a member of the Ames Police Benefit Association. The last Ames police officer who served as president of the State Police Association was Officer Clair Keigly, from 1988-89.

“It’s a huge responsibility,” Snyder said. “We have approximately 3,200 members from all across the state. Not only am I representing them, but I’m representing the profession of law enforcement.”

The State Police Association is composed of local law enforcement associations like the Ames Police Benefit Association, which became a member of the State Police Association. The Ames association works with local charities including programs like Shop with a Cop and other volunteer services throughout the year.

“Law enforcement, a lot of times, I think we get labeled as bad guys because we enforce the laws and hold people accountable,” Snyder said. “It’s kind of a way to give back to the community in another way that shows the community that we actually care about the quality of life in the community.”

The State Police Association works to change laws that will help law enforcement officers better perform their duties. The State Police Association donates to several statewide charities and operates the Rabiner Treatment Center in Fort Dodge, which they also founded. The center was founded to help troubled boys throughout the state with the goal of making them productive members of society.

“It’s a big deal. It’s a big organization. He’s kind of worked his way up to being the president of the association, and they have a voice with the legislators as far as new laws and tools to make our job easier to do,” said Cmdr. Geoff Huff, of Ames Police.

The ISU Department of Public Safety also has a small organization that is a part of the State Police Association made up of experienced professionals like Capt. Darin Van Ryswyk.

“We have a lot of really talented, really knowledgeable police officers in this city between the university police officers and the city of Ames,” Snyder said. “A lot of times that knowledge isn’t shared at a statewide level. Since I’ve been president of the ISPA and my workings through the board, I’ve been able to draw on the strengths of our local people and help statewide with their knowledge.”

Snyder said the Ames community will benefit from having a member of their police department as president of the State Police Association because statewide issues could also be issues that affect the Ames community.

“I still know this community much better than I know anything else, so if there is an opportunity to help law enforcement throughout the state with something that is a local issue as well, the association could definitely help our community,” Snyder said.

Huff said Ames also will benefit next October when the State Police Association annual conference will take place in Ames. Law enforcement officials from all over the state will attend educational programs and get a chance to experience the Ames community.