Dr. Oliver joined the College Faculty in 2003, and was promoted to full professor with tenure in the fall of 2009. His areas of expertise include policing (ex. Police stress, small-town and rural policing, community policing, Homeland Security & policing, etc.), public policy of crime & criminal justice, and the history of criminal justice.

Oliver's current research includes an analysis of crime and third political party platforms, the influence President Bush had on public opinion of homeland security, terrorism, and crime, in light of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and campaign rhetoric employed by presidential candidates in the 2008 election. He is also currently co-authoring a book on presidential assassinations, attempted assassinations, and rumored assassinations in America for Praeger Publishers.

In addition to his teaching and publishing work, Oliver serves as Region IV Trustee on the Executive Board of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, is the Chair of the Sam Houston State University Excellence in Teaching Committee, and is working with the United States Army Military Police Corps to establish an academic relationship between the MP Corps and SHSU.

A Veteran of the Persian Gulf War: Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Oliver is a Retired Major in the Military Police Corps, U.S. Army Reserves. He is an adult leader in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as a committee member and merit badge counselor for Troop 114. Oliver is also responsible for the creation of the Texas Criminal Justice Badge, available to all Scouts in the State of Texas. Finally, Oliver is a marathon runner, having completed three marathons to date.