Welcome to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office Message From the Sheriff We are excited and proud to announce that we were recently contacted by the Department of Defense and the Oakland County Sheriff's Office has been selected as one of only fifteen in the country to receive the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.  The Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. A record 2,199 National Guard and Reserve members or their family members from across the country nominated their employers for their outstanding support.  A national selection board comprised of senior Defense officials and business leaders selected the recipients for this years award.    Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. Its mission is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law and resolving conflicts through mediation.  More information about ESGR is available at www.esgr.mil. The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) to recognize exceptional support from the employer community.  More information about the Freedom Award is available at www.FreedomAward.mil.  I would like to personally thank everyone here at the Sheriff's Office who made this possible.  Because of our collective efforts, and the strong support we show to our troops and our brothers and sisters in service, this award was made possible. --Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard You can help solve serious crimes.  If you have information about a crime you want to share anonymously, call Crime Stoppers of Southeast Michigan at 1-800-SPEAK UP. Oakland County Sheriff's Office CRIME TIPLINE is another way you can share information  to help solve crimes.  If you have information about any crime in Oakland County, please call 1-888-TURN-1-IN OR 1-888-887-6146. Keys to a Safe Boating Season - Listen as Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard tells us how to prevent injuries and fatalities while boating this season. (podcast) May 12, 2008-National Peace Officers Memorial Day Oakland County Sheriff's Office Annual Awards Day- Click Here to see who the honorees are. "Each year, it is truly my pleasure to be able to honor the men and women who serve and protect our community," said Sheriff Bouchard.  "I am proud of the remarkable job that is done by the officers from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office as well as surrounding agencies during the year 2007." STOPPED Program (Sheriff Telling Our Parents and Promoting Educated Drivers) - Register your young driver's vehicle here! Protect your loved one and the community by joining STOPPED today. STOPPED is a voluntary parental notification system developed to reduce the number of young drivers who are injured or killed in motor vehicle crashes each year. Help Keep Young Drivers Safe - Sheriff Michael Bouchard talks about the STOPPED Program and how parents can get involved in this parental notification program to promote safe driving. (podcast)   Sending Cigars to the Troops- If you would like to help with shipping and/or purchasing additional cigars to send to Michigan Military Troops overseas, click here. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office is proud to highlight the service of its post 9/11 military service veterans.                                                                                                                Protecting Your Child Against Internet Crimes - Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard talks about internet safety and how to protect your children against online predators. (podcast) Protecting Yourself from Law Enforcement Impersonators -  Sheriff Bouchard is warning citizens to beware of con artists trying to pose as a law enforcement official to gain access to personal information and property. Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial Website  Sheriff's Re-CYCLE for Kids -  Sheriff Michael Bouchard and local charitable organizations teaming up to provide bicycles to children who would not otherwise be able to afford one, bringing joy into a child's life. Oakland County Sheriff's Office Emergency Handbook-If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to sit down with your family and create your plan. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office has available an  Emergency Handbook (PDF file size 596k) which will help you in becoming more informed and more prepared. Included are guidelines which will assist you in making your plan, and also local resources you may access in the event of an emergency.