DORAL, Fla. – Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez announced Friday afternoon that he would be stepping down from his post effective Jan. 12.
“My family and I have decided that the time has come to move on to the next chapter of our lives,” Perez wrote.
Perez has worked as an officer in Miami-Dade County for more than 29 years.
Perez noted that the succession planning for his replacement has been in the works.
“I’m extremely proud of what we have achieved together during my tenure as director and I assure you we have been succession planning for some time,” Perez wrote.
Perez’s impacts on gun violence and youth-related programs led to unique programs like the MDPD Youth Outreach Unit, which pairs officers with troubled youth and their family members.
Additionally, Perez revised the department’s Use of Force charter to align to national standards and best practices and has been actively involved in deploying technology across the department that includes mandatory body-worn cameras for officers.
“I’m extremely proud of what we have achieved together during my tenure as Director,” Perez wrote.
Perez started his career in 1990 with MDPD and appointed as the director in Feb. 2016.
Today, I am officially announcing my retirement as Director of the Miami-Dade Police Department effective Jan. 12, 2020. My family and I have decided that the time has come to move on to the next chapter of our lives. As such, I wanted to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for the opportunity to serve this wonderful community for the last 29 1/2 years, with the last four years being highlighted as your police director. I’m extremely proud of what we have achieved together during my tenure as Director and I assure you we have been succession planning for some time.
The Miami-Dade Police Department and our community is lucky to have many professional and committed law enforcement leaders within its ranks ready to take on any challenges that we may face. I have full faith and confidence in the ability of Deputy Director Alfredo Ramirez and the Department’s executive command staff to lead the Miami-Dade Police Department going forward and into the future. I will miss you all. Thank you for allowing me to serve you. Forever grateful.
Juan Perez, Miami-Dade Police Department Director