A negative stigma surrounds the American police force that Sgt. Juan Ponce of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department seeks to defy.

Ponce supervises six officers, but is rarely found in his office. He is constantly on patrol, talking to and answering questions from residents. He stresses the importance of communicating with those around him.

“It is not just a uniform, there is someone behind the uniform,” said Ponce.

Ponce says maintaining communication with the community around him is more important now then ever. With the recent series of police shootings, American citizens are beginning to develop a negative impression of the people who protect our communities.

For example, Moorpark College student Phillip Mellado no longer trusts the police officers he sees around him.

“I don’t think they have everyone’s interest at heart,” said Mellado.

Joel Justice, the Ventura County Community College District Chief of Police, believes ignorance is the culprit to this negative impression.

“I think it is negative because people don’t understand what cops are there for and the dangers they are in,” said Justice.

The reality is police officers exist to protect our community and Ponce follows through with this objective. He treats every individual he encounters with dignity, whether they are a gangster or a wealthy Caucasian. He ensures that his six officers do the same.

“The biggest thing is empathizing with that person,” said Ponce.

Everytime one of Ponce’s officers has an encounter, he calls the victim to ask about their experience with the Moorpark police because he is well aware of the negative stigma that surrounds police officers.

“It is not fair, but it is the reality,” said Ponce in reference to the negative stigma.

As a result, he is constantly trying to improve relations between the police and community.

Ponce’s empathy stems from being a part of the Moorpark police force for over 20 years. He has had positions ranging from working undercover to being a detective.

He says being the first ever resource officer at Moorpark High School was the most rewarding position he has held. Past students often walk up to him to say that he saved their lives.

“To me, that is the true reward,” said Ponce.

It is important to remember that police officers like Ponce exist in our own backyard. The American media has consistently been giving a negative impression of police officers due to the recent reports of shootings. It is unfair to apply this negative outlook to the entire police force.

The majority of police officers want to protect our communities.

‘We are peacekeepers,” said Ponce. “That is what our number one goal is: to keep the peace.”