Lawrence Police Announce New Deputy Chief Appointments

Two veteran Lawrence police officers appointed Deputy Chief’s

As new Lawrence Police Chief Curtis Bigsbee continues to restructure department leadership, two veteran officers have been appointed as Deputy Chief’s.

On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, Erika Schneider, and Travis Cline, who were both previously serving as Captain’s, have been appointed Deputy Chief’s.

“Among my first tasks as Chief was to evaluate and restructure our departments leadership, working to identify who I would ask to serve as our Deputy Chief(s).  It is my honor to announce that I have selected Captain Erika Schneider and Captain Travis Cline to serve as our new Deputy Chief’s, effective today,” said Chief Bigsbee.

Chief Bigsbee further remarked that Deputy Chief Schneider and Deputy Chief Cline bring a wealth and depth of experience to the Chief’s Office, stating, “I am confident they will serve exceptionally well as Deputy Chief’s.”

Deputy Chief Schneider will oversee the Operations (Patrol) Division, while Deputy Chief Cline will oversee Investigations and Administration Division’s, in addition to other duties for both.

Deputy Chief Erika Schneider was born and raised in the City of Lawrence, graduating from Lawrence Central High School. She is a 4th Generation Law Enforcement Officer, following in the footsteps of her Great-Grandfather, Grandfather, Father and Mother.

Chief Schneider began her career with the City of Lawrence in 1998 as a telecommunicator, before joining the Lawrence Police Department as an officer in 1999, graduating from the 139th Session of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

Chief Schneider has served as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Instructor, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Shift Commander, along with serving in the Investigations Division as a General Detective, Narcotics Detective, Sergeant, and Lieutenant.

She also served as Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police, Training Director, Captain of the Administration Division, and most recently Commander of LPD’s Professional Standards Division.

Chief Schneider holds the distinction of being the first, 3rd generation graduate of the FBI National Academy, graduating from the 231st class.  She is also the handler of LPD’s first Psychiatric Service Canine (Hoss), who assists Schneider as a member of the State of Indiana Fraternal Order of Police Critical Incident Memorial Team and the Lawrence Police Department Honor Guard.

Deputy Chief Travis Cline grew up on the east side of Indianapolis/Lawrence area, graduating from Scecina High School. He started his career as a Reserve Police Officer for the City of Lawrence in 1998, while also serving as an Investigator with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.  

DC Cline joined LPD as a full-time Police Officer in 2000, graduating from the 145th Session of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. He worked as a Patrol Officer, Detective, Shift Supervisor, and Detective Sergeant, with over 20 years of Investigations experience.

DC Cline has also served as a Detection K9 handler, member of the LPD Special Weapons and Tactics team, and was assigned to the Indianapolis Metro Drug Task Force for twelve years, where he was deputized as a federal agent, while investigating and dismantling high-level drug dealing organizations and importers, in addition to street-level drug dealers. Several cases DC Cline investigated resulted in both Federal and State felony convictions.

In 2021, he was appointed as Captain, commanding LPD’s Investigations Division.

Deputy Chief’s Schneider and Cline start their duties immediately.