Major Bryan Perera
Major Bryan Perera serves as the Major of the Criminal Investigations Bureau for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, where he provides executive leadership over investigative and intelligence-driven operations responsible for combating crime, mitigating emerging threats, and protecting Lee County’s schools and communities. In this role, he directs investigative units and intelligence resources that support Patrol Operations, proactive crime prevention, threat interdiction, and strategic public safety initiatives across the county.
Major Perera began his career with the Sheriff’s Office in 2005 in the Corrections Bureau while attending the Southwest Florida Law Enforcement Academy. In 2007, he graduated first in his class, earning the academy’s Top Academic Achievement Award. He was subsequently assigned to the 4th Precinct Patrol Division, where he served as a patrol deputy and later as a member of a proactive Crime Suppression Team.
Throughout his career, Major Perera has served in numerous specialized assignments, including SWAT, the Waterborne Strike Team, the Explosive Breaching Team, the Narcotics Unit, Rappel Team, Mobile Field Force, the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the K9 Unit. As a SWAT operator, he participated in high-risk tactical operations and dignitary protection assignments alongside the United States Secret Service, providing security for Presidents Donald Trump, George W. Bush, and Vice President Mike Pence
Major Perera has held numerous leadership positions throughout his career, including Sergeant in the 2nd Precinct Patrol Division, Sergeant in the Narcotics Unit, Explosive Breaching Team Leader, Assistant Commander of the 3rd Patrol Precinct, Commander of the K9 Unit, and Commander of the SWAT Team.
Prior to his current role, Major Perera served as Commander of the Special Operations Bureau, where he directed many of the agency’s specialized response units, including SWAT, Hostage Negotiations, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Dive Team, Mobile Field Force, Mobile Command, K9, the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force, Marine Unit, Agriculture Unit, and Traffic Unit. In this capacity, he was responsible for ensuring operational readiness, tactical training, and the strategic deployment of specialized resources during complex high-risk operations, large-scale critical incidents, and major public safety events. He coordinated multi-unit tactical responses, directed crisis intervention strategies, and integrated specialized law enforcement assets to stabilize volatile situations and bring safe and effective resolution.
Major Perera currently oversees the Special Investigations Unit, which includes the Real-Time Intelligence Center, Intelligence Unit, Targeted Violence Unit, School Threat Enforcement Team, and the Youth Services Division, supporting investigative and safe school initiatives across 72 schools throughout Lee County.
Throughout his career, Major Perera has received numerous commendations for service and operational excellence, including the Combat Cross, Drug Buster Award, Unit Citation, and the Exceptional Service Medal.
Major Perera is married to his wife, Kayla, and has two children. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family.