New hire, a globally-recognized U.S. Army policing expert, will help lead city’s policing oversight efforts
Mayor Justin M. Bibb yesterday announced Marcus Perez as the new Administrator for the City of Cleveland’s Office of Professional Standards (OPS). Perez has earned over 30 military honors and awards, executed more than 300 inspections of law enforcement organizations in all 50 states and overseas, and holds numerous certifications and licenses while serving in several leadership positions within the United States Army.
“Marcus’ resume speaks for itself – he’s a highly decorated US army veteran with an incredible track record at implementing reform-based initiatives in the highest levels of government,” added Mayor Bibb in a press release announcing the hire. “We’re happy he has decided to come home and help lead our police oversight efforts here in Cleveland.”
The City’s OPS is an independent agency tasked with investigating non-criminal complaints filed by members of the public against Division of Police employees. Upon receiving a complaint, OPS has the authority to gather additional information and conduct interviews as warranted, and can make findings and recommend action to the city’s Civilian Police Review Board. OPS is one of many layers of police oversight in Cleveland.
Police reform is one of the key initiatives of the Bibb administration, and Perez will be expected to increase accountability and improve public confidence in policing.
“The City of Cleveland has made great strides toward increasing civilian oversight. It’s an honor to serve this great city and I’m committed to its desire to become a national leader in policing” said Perez in the release.
According to the release, Perez has over 20 years of military service in multiple leadership positions. He has extensive experience and significant knowledge in evaluating facilities, police recruitment, training, processes and operations, law enforcement policies and procedures, team building and personnel activities. He began his career in 2001 before moving up the ranks to serve as a Battalion Operations Officer in Washington, a Director of Emergency Services in Germany, a Joint Command Inspector General in Saudi Arabia, and, most recently, a Senior Inspector General for the Department of the Army in the Pentagon the last five years. Throughout his career he has helped improve employee morale, refine disciplinary measures, and optimize organizational performance while minimizing risk and maximizing compliance outcomes.
Perez has been assigned multiple roles and produced significant results, including a 60% increase in overall inspection efficiency. He has completed numerous impartial, objective administrative investigations and has taught various courses as a lead instructor on diversity training, regulations and policy, and workplace violence. He conducted multiple fraud and financial crimes investigations, managed a $3.5 million inspection fund, and, as Chief Travel Expense Officer, helped secure $1.2 million in cost savings through a detailed audit and inspection of travel resources.
He coordinated and executed inspections into ground vehicle accidents, suicides, privatized housing, medical transitions, recruitment, and new soldier attrition. During the height of the COVID pandemic he advocated for supply chain priorities, reporting directly to the U.S. Vice President.
Perez has earned many noteworthy recognitions for both his domestic and international work in more than a dozen countries, including Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, South Korea, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. His accolades include several Bronze Stars, Meritorious Service, Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals, as well as several other prominent military service medals, awards, and badges.
Perez, a VFW lifetime member, was born in Chicago and moved to Medina when he was 10. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Family, and Human Sciences from The Ohio State University.
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