Technology, Communications & Innovation Division

CAPTAIN

Steven Schneider

Commander | Technology, Communications & Innovation Division

Captain Schneider is the Sheriff's Chief Technology Officer, supervising the Technology, Communications & Information Division, including the Technology and Emergency Communications Units, and Agency Accreditation Team. He fervently advocates implementing state-of-the-art technology systems and programs, driving change at a rapid pace. Since 2014, he has initiated various cost control programs, including auditing and inventory control measures, yielding significant savings for the Sheriff's Office. In addition, Captain Schneider created a new IT protocol that has improved efficiency, minimized confusion, increased staff productivity and reduced Help Desk/Service Center calls an average of 22%. He is also responsible for reporting all crime statistics for the Sheriff's Office, including the accurate and timely forwarding of these statistics to the FBI NIBRS Uniform Crime Reporting Unit. Through various initiatives implemented by Captain Schneider, the OCSO has seen the integrity of its crime reporting steadily improve.

Captain Schneider joined the Sheriff's Office as a Deputy I in 1996. He was promoted to a Deputy II in 1997 (first as a Jail Supervisor and then as a Road Patrol Deputy), to Sergeant in 2004, to Lieutenant in 2014 and to his current position as Captain in 2022.

With over 30 years in Law Enforcement and six years in private sector investigations, Captain Steve Schneider has a vast array of experience in several areas including: Weapons of Mass Destruction and Community Anti-Terrorism Training; Information Technology; Emergency Communications, Criminal and Civil Investigations; Corrections Management; Inmate Custody and Care; Business and Public Administration and Road Patrol Services. This expertise is the result of Captain Schneider's experience with two large private investigations companies and the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, the 16th largest Sheriff's Office in the United States.

Captain Schneider has received numerous awards, including Command Officer of the Year (2020), Meritorious Service Citations, Professional Excellence Citations and Distinguished Unit Citations.

Captain Schneider received his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (WMU) in 1989 and his Master's degree in Public Administration (CMU) in 2001. He is an adjunct instructor and guest lecturer for both private and public higher educational institutions and has taught law enforcement personnel, as well as private sector individuals, in a variety of relevant subjects. He has attended many 'Train the Trainer' courses covering Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Awareness and was formerly a member of the Oakland County Incident Management Team (IMT). He has completed Federal Type IV Incident Management Team training, COBRA Live Chemical Agent training, Prevention and Response to Terrorist Bombing courses and Nuclear/Radiological training. Captain Schneider has taught Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Awareness classes for the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice. He is Board-Certified in both Homeland Security (CHPP) and Security Management (CPP).

The Sheriff's Office Technology, Communications and Innovation Division (TCI) is responsible for procuring, maintaining and managing all computer-related software and hardware, including (but not limited to) desktops, laptops, radios, cellphones, tablets, fingerprint/mugshot equipment, cameras and surveillance equipment and inmate communication devices. Proper use of these devices requires that all access be closely monitored to ensure privacy, security and safety for law enforcement personnel and Oakland County citizens and business owners. In addition, the division oversees the Emergency Communications Unit (Dispatch), the second largest dispatch center in the state of Michigan, and the largest full-service multijurisdictional dispatch center in the state.

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Ongoing communication and collaboration between the TCI Division and the entire Oakland County Information Technology (IT) Department is extremely important for the smooth and safe operation of all devices. The top priority of TCI is the secure transmission of crucial law enforcement information through several diverse applications and programs.

The Captain of the TCI Division is the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer (CTIO) serving as a bridge between the Sheriff's Office and Oakland County IT, ensuring that the services IT provides align efficiently with the needs of the Sheriff's Office. By combining extensive law enforcement experience and IT expertise, the Captain and his team are responsible for the strategic implementation of new technology solutions that improve business efficiency while meeting Sheriff's Office standards and policy requirements. The Captain understands business strategy and can identify technologies that will enhance the goals and objectives of the OCSO.

Determining whether the OCSO will implement any new technology program or equipment is a lengthy and complex process. The TCI Captain is directly involved in this process from beginning to end—attending product demonstrations; developing a strong working knowledge of the products being considered; meeting with vendors; formulating proposals (including detailed cost analyses) and presenting them to Command Staff, the Sheriff's Fiscal Officer and the Board of Commissioners. Once a vendor is selected, the Captain maintains close contact with vendor representatives, contracted installers and OCSO Command Staff during the entire installation/implementation process. In addition, the Captain is prepared to answer any questions and address any issues that may arise before, during and after system deployment.

The TCI Division closely monitors the crime statistics reporting process for the Sheriff's Office, including the accurate and timely forwarding of statistics to the Michigan State Police (MSP) Criminal Justice Information Center and the FBI's NIBRS Uniform Crime Reporting Unit. Through various initiatives, the efficiency of the Sheriff's Office crime reporting procedures has steadily improved. Accurate statistics for the Sheriff's Office provide the public with transparency, while evaluating the effectiveness of law enforcement services provided and monitoring the overall severity of crime in Oakland County.

COMMUNICATIONS

The Sheriff's Emergency Communications and Operations Center provides all emergency and non-emergency call-taking and dispatching for the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, nine local law enforcement agencies, and eighteen local fire/EMS agencies. Call-taking and dispatch services are also provided for the Oakland County Animal Control, Oakland Community College Police, and Kensington MetroParks. Every Dispatch Specialist is fully trained and certified in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD), and Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD) and credentialed through the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED-Priority Dispatch).

The Sheriff's Emergency Communications and Operations Center serves as the "default call center" for the entire County. This means that if the phone company is unsure which dispatch center to send a call to, it automatically routes it to the ECOC. After receiving these calls, a Dispatch Specialist determines the emergency location and transfers the call to the appropriate law enforcement or fire agency. This process has proven to be a quick, efficient, and seamless solution for handling these 911 emergencies.

The Sheriff's Emergency Communications and Operations Center is equipped to assist other area 911 centers if a center is unable to operate due to a situation such as phone outages. During those emergencies, the Sheriff’s ECOC is designed to accept re-routed 911 calls from those affected areas.

The Sheriff's Emergency Communications and Operations Center can communicate with any law enforcement officer, firefighter, EMT in Oakland County, as well as any other Oakland County dispatch center. These first responders can also communicate with each other and coordinate their responses using one of the nation’s most advanced interoperable radio networks: the MPSCS (Michigan Public Safety Communications System). By the end of 2026, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office will use Carbyne APEX, an advanced, all-in-one Next Generation 911 (NG911) call-handling platform. This technology has enhanced call routing and allows callers to send photos, live videos, and text messages directly to the Dispatch Specialist.

In 2015, Sheriff Michael Bouchard brought Text-to-911 services to Oakland County. Sheriff Bouchard recognized the need for Oakland County callers to access 911 services by voice or text. This gives citizens the option to “Call when they can, Text when they can’t.” Dispatch Specialists can receive text messages that are sent to 911 and communicate back and forth with the sender. They can now send and receive text messages in multiple languages, which are automatically detected and translated using AI translation. Dispatch Specialists can also send links that let callers share videos and photos, as well as detailed locations.

In 2025, the Sheriff's Emergency Communications and Operations Center managed over 487,000 telephone calls; 911 cellular calls made up over 85% of total 911 calls. The entire ECOC remains committed to providing the best service possible.