Major Robert Schnakenberg began his law enforcement career in 1986 as a road patrol officer with the City of Deerfield Beach. During his career, he has served in many different capacities. He served as a road patrol officer and detective in 2001. He was promoted to sergeant in 2001 and rose through the ranks to major in 2019. During that time, he served as a supervisor in various units, including District Road Patrol, District Criminal Investigations, Criminal Investigations, Strategic Investigations, Internal Affairs, Office of Homeland Security, Special Events and the Inspector General's Office.

In 2013, he was assigned as the district chief of the Deerfield Beach District. He served in that capacity until he was promoted to major in 2019. During his time in the Deerfield Beach District, he instituted BSO's first district Real Time Crime Center and the first drone program for the agency. He also developed the Tactical Deployment Team (TDT), which won Unit of the Year for its innovative techniques to combat crime. He currently serves as the major overseeing the Criminal Investigations Division, Crime Scene Unit, Crime Lab, Real Time Crime Center and the Threat Management Unit.

Major Schnakenberg is a graduate of the 251st class of the FBI National Academy. He attended Montclair State University and John Jay College and has a degree in criminal justice.