Michael McNeill grew up in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County and moved to San Diego in 1988 to attend the University of California, San Diego. Upon graduation in 1992, Michael joined the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

 Michael graduated from the 25th Regional Law Enforcement Academy in 1993 and began his career at the Central Detention Facility. He became a patrol deputy sheriff in 1997 at the Santee Patrol Station. In October of 2005 Michael was selected as a detective at the Ramona Substation.

In April of 2015 Michael was promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to the downtown civil division, Santee Patrol Station, and the Internal Affairs Division. In July of 2018 he was promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to the Communications Center, Law Enforcement Support Division, Ramona Substation commander, and as the commander of the North County Regional Gang Task Force.

In March of 2022 Michael was promoted to Captain and was assigned as the commander of the Santee Patrol Station.

In December of 2023, Michael was promoted to the rank of Commander. He currently oversees Patrol Operations within the Law Enforcement Services Bureau.

Michael holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego, and is also a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police at Boston University.