Sheriff Michael Bouchard runs one of the nation’s largest Sheriff’s Offices, overseeing over 1,400 employees and managing an annual budget of over $202 million. Sheriff Bouchard brings the experience of 37 years of law enforcement.
On January 11, 1999, Michigan Senator and Majority Floor Leader Michael Bouchard accepted the appointment as successor to John F. Nichols who passed away suddenly. In November of 2020, Sheriff Bouchard was returned to Office for the sixth time.
His current term will expire on January 1, 2025.
Sheriff Bouchard was honored as the 2022 "Sheriff of the Year" by the Michigan Sheriffs' Association. In 2016, he was the recipient of the Ferris E. Lucas Sheriff of the Year award from the National Sheriffs' Association. He is the only sheriff in Michigan to receive both awards.
Records of Public Service
- Re-elected Oakland County Sheriff, 2020
- Re-elected Oakland County Sheriff, 2016
- Re-elected Oakland County Sheriff, 2012
- Re-elected Oakland County Sheriff, 2008
- Re-elected Oakland County Sheriff, 2004
- Elected Oakland County Sheriff, 2000
- Appointed Sheriff of Oakland County, January 11, 1999
- Elected Majority Floor Leader of the Michigan State Senate, 1998
- Re-elected to the State Senate, 1998
- Elected Assistant Majority Leader of the Michigan State Senate, 1995
- Re-elected to the State Senate, 1994
- Elected Assistant President Pro-Tempore of the Michigan State Senate, 1994
- Elected to the State Senate, 1991
- Elected to the State House of Representatives, 1990
- Re-elected President of the Beverly Hills Village Council, 1988
- Elected President Pro-Tempore of the Beverly Hills Council, 1987
- Elected to the Beverly Hills Village Council, 1986
Activities
- Appointed to the President's Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice Working Group by Attorney General William Barr, 2020
- Certified Homeland Protection Professional, by National Domestic Preparedness Coalition
- Warriors Heart Foundation Advisory Board
- Board Member, National Executive Institute Association (NEIA)
- Multi-National, Joint-Counterterrorism, Middle East Trip 2008
- Vice President, Government Affairs Chair of the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA)
- Former President of the MCSA
- Syndicate Director, Leadership in Counterterrorism (LinCT-International Multinational Program)
- Member of the National Sheriff's Association Congressional Affairs Committee
- Appointed member of the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women by Attorney General John Ashcroft
- Chairman of the Michigan Citizens Corp Council
- Board of Trustees, Traffic Improvement Association
- Appointed member of the State Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board
- Founder and President of the Oakland County Fallen Heroes Fund which raised a half million dollars for the families of New York's fallen heroes
- President of the Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial Fund
- Lecturer, International Reserve Police Officers Association – Scotland Yard
- Member of Oakland County Coordinating Council Against Domestic Violence
- Founder of Oakland County Crime Stoppers, Inc.
- Honorary member of the Advisory Committee to the Journal of International Law and Practice
- Advisory board member of the Birmingham Community House
- Board Member of the Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Council
- Honorary Trustee to the Oakland County Center for Open Housing
- Board Member to the Michigan Youth in Government Program
- Community Advisory Board Member to the Birmingham Junior League
- Member of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation
- Member of the Advisory Board to Angels Place – Homes & Hopes for the Developmentally Disabled
- Honorary Committee Member of the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children
- Executive Board of Directors, Boy Scouts of America Clinton Valley Council
- Executive Board of Directors, HAVEN shelter against domestic violence
Honors and Awards
- Recipient of the Sheriff of the Year 2022 by the Michigan Sheriff's Association
- Recipient of the Patrick Henry Patriot of the Year from the Patriot Week Foundation, 2020
- Recipient of Fraternal Order of Investigators Award 2019
- Named Distinguished Sheriff by the Michigan Sheriffs' Association, 2019
- Recipient of the Ferris E. Lucas Sheriff of the Year from the National Sheriffs' Association, 2016
- Recipient of the Silver Star for Bravery from the American Police Hall of Fame, 2016
- Identified as one of the most influential people in security by Security Magazine, 2014
- Inducted into the Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice Wall of Fame, 2010
- Recipient of the Earth Day Hero Award at Michigan Earth Day Fest, April 2010
- Recipient of Achievement Award for Innovative Program (Operation Medicine Cabinet) from the National Association of Counties, 2009
- Recipient of the Michigan Food and Beverage Association's Distinguished Service Award, Metro Detroit Youth Day, 2009
- Recipient of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, 2008
- Multiple recipient of the Commendation Award from the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association for Outstanding Service and Dedication in the area of Law Enforcement
- Recipient of the 'Executive of the Year' by the Detroit Executive Association, 2008
- Easter Seals' 2008 'Outstanding Advocate' Award
- Recipient of the ESGR's (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) Pro Patria Award, 2008
- Recipient of Two (2) Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties, 2008
- Birmingham/Bloomfield Race Relations and Diversity Task Force Champion, 2008
- Recipient of the Community Service Award from the Optimist Club of West Bloomfield, 2008
- Recipient of the Oakland County Youth Assistance 'Champion of Youth' Award, 2007
- Recipient of the Project Freedom of Michigan's '1st Project Freedom Award', 2007
- Recipient of the Justice for Children's 'Centurion Award', 2006
- Recipient of the Easter Seals 'Angel of Change Award', 2006
- Recipient of the Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Oakland County 'Circle of Light Award', 2006
- Recognized by the FBI for Exceptional Service in the Public Interest on 9-11
- Recipient of the Oakland County Bar Association's Distinguished Public Servant Award, 2003
- Recognized by the City of New York for tireless dedication to the World Trade Center recovery effort
- Recipient of the Palace Sports and Entertainment Community Service Award, 2001
- Recipient of the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association South Oakland Narcotics Intelligence Consortium Award
- Nominated for the 2001 National Commission Against Drunk Driving Award
- Recipient of the 2000 Oakland County Domestic Violence Prevention Award
- Recipient of the Oakland University Distinguished Legislative Service Award
- Recipient of the Prevention Coalition of Southeast Michigan 2000 Partner in Prevention Award
- Recipient of the Waterford School District/Oakland Community College Diversity Conference Special Award
- Recipient of the 1999 "Leadership Oakland" Award
- Recipient of the 1992, 1996 and 1998 Outstanding Young Men of America Award
- Recipient of the Michigan Jaycees Outstanding Young Michiganian Award
- Legislator of the Year Award from the Police Officers Association of Michigan
- Legislator of the Year Award from the Michigan Association of School Boards
- Recipient of the 1992 Deputy Sheriff's Distinguished Legislative Award
- Recipient of the Distinguished Legislative Service Award from the Oakland County School Boards Association
- Recipient of the Humanitarian Award from the Arab-American and Chaldean Council
- Leadership Award by the American Cancer Society's Humanitarian Committee
- Recipient of the March of Dimes Outstanding Service Award
- Recipient of the Birmingham Brother Rice Distinguished Alumnus Award
- Decorated nine times for meritorious acts in the line of duty by the Bloomfield Township Police Department
- 1996 Michigan Credit Union League State Legislator of the Year
- 1996 Legislator of the Year by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police
- 1997 Recipient of the Legislator of the Year Award by the Fraternal Order of Police
Education and Continuing Educational Endeavor
- Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice and Police Administration, Michigan State University, Honor Student
- Graduate of the United States Secret Service in Dignitary Protection Program
- Graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute Program (NEI)
- Mid-Michigan Law Enforcement Center, Valedictorian
- Graduate of the National Sheriff's Institute
- Graduate of Darden's Program for emerging Political Leaders, University of Virginia
- Toll Fellow, Council of State Governments in conjunction with the University of Kentucky
- Leadership Team Member to the pioneering Partners for Educational Technology, in cooperation with the Council of the Great Lakes Governors
- Member of the National Conference of State Legislature Committee on Education and Job Training
- Member of the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development Steering Committee
- Member, Business and Education Working Together
- Certificate Current Trends Impacting Executive Leadership, 2012
Key Legislation Sponsored by Sheriff Bouchard
- Legislation that requires convicted sex offenders to register with local law enforcement and allows this information to be accessible to the public
- Legislation which saves taxpayers $358 million annually through the reduction of the Real Estate Transfer Tax
- Legislation requiring that incinerators be set back a minimum of 1,000 feet from schools, hospitals and nursing homes
- Legislation to repeal the tax base sharing
- Legislation to require accountability among the members of the parole board to the people of the State of Michigan
- Legislation to stimulate declining downtown commercial zones
- Legislation to allow for criminal background checks of individuals other than relatives supervising minor children
- Legislation to give permanent standing to appealed rate reductions for property owners
- Legislation to require convicted drunk drivers to pay costs related to their arrest and conviction
- Legislation to allow credit cards as a method of payment at the Secretary of State
- Legislation to regulate and license casinos and assist those who are harmed by related activities