(Captain III Paul A. Snell)
Captain III Paul A. Snell, area commanding officer, Southwest Area is retiring after 30 years and 6 months of dedicated service to the Los Angeles Police Department including the diverse communities within the city of Los Angeles. Not only will he leave a legacy to the law enforcement profession, he inspires the citizens of Los Angeles to continue their efforts in actively promoting sustainability within their respective neighborhoods.
“Law enforcement has been both praised and maligned throughout history,” Snell said.
“ However, through lessons learned the LAPD has made significant strides within the communities it serves and law enforcement believes strongly that partnerships with the public has been the most essential element to the successes that its seen. Currently, despite the many challenges that we all still face within our respective neighborhoods, strong Community-Police alliances and partnerships will continue to be the cornerstones for even more unprecedented crime reductions.
“I want to personally encourage you to become even MORE involved within your communities and to work with your law enforcement partners to develop new comprehensive strategies that reduces and prevents crime, fear and disorder.”
According to Officer Paul Elveth, Southwest Area’s Community Relations Unit, Captain Snell has always had the community and reputation of LAPD in mind under his leadership. In particular, he went out of his way to connect to the youth community members always making them feel that the police station was their second home. As an example, he arranged his office to offer after-school tutoring for a student in need of a quiet place to study. He took it a step further by asking his staff to purchase any necessary school supplies and summer camp equipment for the student.
“He will be missed by the community and police officers, and we wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement,” Elveth said.
Omar Prudencio, Police Cadet Commander, Southwest Area’s Teen Community Policing Advisory Board, Co-Chair, expressed his gratitude to Captain Snell.
“Impacting the lives of our community youth and guiding them toward success is something Captain Snell will always be remembered,” he said.
“ I wish him the best of luck and wishes.”
Snell leaves a profound legacy to become inspired and shadowed by the youth throughout the Southwest Area communities as thus: “. . .Carry on through disappointment, challenge and believe in yourself. Always do the right things for the right reasons.”
Snell began and is ending his Los Angeles Police Department career at Southwest Area Community Police Station. In 1985 his first assignment was at Southwest Area working patrol. For the next 30 years he served the citizens of Los Angeles working a variety of assignments, rising through the ranks and earning the rank of Captain III, Area Commanding Officer in 2011.
“It is fitting that Captain Snell, a leader who is committed to community policing, is finishing his career as the Area Commanding Officer of Southwest Area, where his career began and in a community that is only a couple of miles from where he grew up,” says Commander William Scott, assistant commanding officer, Operations-South Bureau, who will become the newly appointed deputy chief, commanding officer, effective Monday, March 23.
“Because of his roots [here], Captain Snell is personally vested in and cares deeply about South Los Angeles. As the leader of a police station with over 350 employees he has modeled the way and set a tone for those he leads that respect, integrity, professionalism, and service to the community are top priorities. Snell’s priorities are evident in the decisions he has made as the Commanding Officer of Southwest Area and the thought process in which he makes decisions.
“Snell makes decisions based on what’s right and based on what’s in the best interest of the communities served by the LAPD. A decision making process that is grounded in the mission, vision, and values of the Los Angeles Police Department. Also, a process that has helped Snell build trust and build valuable partnerships with citizens who reside, work and own businesses in the South Los Angeles communities served by Southwest Area Community Police Station that he oversees.”
Chief John Thomas, executive director, University of Southern California, Department of Public Safety, shares his professional insight of Captain Snell.
“Paul Snell, is the consummate police professional,” he said.
“But, for me, more importantly, he is one of my closest friends and confidantes and has been for many years. Throughout his tenure as the Commanding Officer of Southwest Division, we have been true partners in our joint mission to provide exemplary police services to the Southwest community, and, for me specifically, the USC Campus Community by building mutually respectful, collaborative community partnerships. Because we both are products of South Los Angeles, we share similar core values of transparency, accountability and public service that is mindful of the unique public safety concerns and needs of this community.
“On Snell’s first night at work, I asked him to tell us a little bit about himself and why he wanted to joined the police department. He said he joined because he wanted to help the community,” recalled Lieutenant Fred Booker, Office of the Chief of Police and Snell’s mentor at Southwest in 1985.
“Immediately, I could tell he was different; this young man was about business. His passion for his profession of law enforcement has been maintained at the highest level no matter what his assignment has been. He and I worked many years as a team for former Police Chief William J. Bratton. Bratton commented many times on his high moral standards, his level of intellect, and his passion for serving. Captain Snell truly understand what it means ‘to serve’ the community. His focus was ensuring officers treated the community with respect. I will not only miss him as a friend, also as a true law enforcement professional.”
Deputy Chief Beatrice Girmala, Commanding Officer, Operations-West Bureau, affirms that in any profession, it is truly a gift to have a nearly three decade relationship with a man of honor, skill, wit, and integrity. She says, “Paul is all that. He served the community and unselfishly assisted his peers and subordinates in an exemplary fashion, and without fail. Paul’s reassuring and solid presence will be truly missed on the Department. “
Captain Snell is described as and will be remembered as a trailblazer by many of his professional colleagues including recently retired Captain Tia Morris, who worked with him at the Van Nuys Division. She stated that in February 2011, and as partners, he immediately hit the ground running in the Community by refocusing the efforts of the internal machine at Van Nuys Area starting with the Community Relations Office leadership and Senior Lead Officers to ensure the best possible outcome with the stakeholders in the community with outstanding crime prevention and major crime suppression.
“I am fortunate that he became more to me than just the commander, commanding when he was assigned to Van Nuys Division. I am proud to call him my friend,” said KCBS/ KCAL TV chief meteorologist Josh Rubenstein.
“He is honest and embodies the principles of community-based policing. I am confident that because of Paul Snell’s leadership the men and women under his command are better police officers and our city is a little bit safer.”
Sgt. James Park, one of Captain Snell’s area adjutants, while in Van Nuys and Southwest Area, reflects on their working relationship. “His strong work ethics, dedication to the community, and leadership became apparent to everyone around him, especially to our community members, and he demanded a lot, but also gave back a lot. Under his command, our CPAB membership grew to triple He improved our social media, which included Facebook, Twitter, and Nixle. Captain Snell would conclude our community meeting by asking community members to like us on Facebook. “Captain Snell, I wish you and your family the best in your next endeavor. Please know how much an impact you made on me and my family. You are the hardest working person I have ever known. I still remember your emails at 0300 hours. “
“Paul, congratulations on your well-deserved retirement after your exemplary service to the city of Los Angeles spanning over 30 years,” said Commander Robert Arcos, assistant commanding officer, Operations-Central Bureau.
“Your career has been highlighted by your phenomenal connection to community policing. Your leadership in each operational command effectively focused on the importance of building trust through crime reduction and community engagement. In times of crisis, there was no one I admired more than you. You have clearly set the bar high for us all to work on collaboration, partnerships and relationships. I learned so much from you admiring your efforts in Southwest Area to work with dynamic organizations, diverse communities and demanding challenges.”
Commander Horace Frank, Assistant Commanding Officer, Counter Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau, said, “Paul, I am humbled to have been considered a colleague and a friend of yours over the years. This opportunity in your life and career is one that many aspire to but less achieve. I am so proud and happy for you and Mrs. Snell. May God Bless you both with a long and healthy retirement.”
