Dade's New Top Cop Sworn In

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Miami-Dade has a new top cop.

On Tuesday, Juan Perez was sworn in by Mayor Carlos Gimenz and became the county's police director. Perez replaces J.D. Patterson who retired from the department.

Perez is a 25 year veteran of the Miami-Dade police department.

Prior to being appointed director, Perez held the position of Deputy Director and oversaw the activities of two major branches; Investigative and Police Services, as well as the activities of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, the Miami-Dade Public Safety Training Institute, and the Strategic Planning and Development Section.

During his career, Perez has served as a supervisor in Police Services, Criminal Investigations, Homeland Security and Robbery division, according to the department's website. Before be named a deputy director, Perez was Chief in the Police Services' for the department's South Operations Division.

Perez is a graduate of Saint Thomas University.