Major Pedro “Pete” Palenzuela currently serves as the senior executive officer for the East Regional Bureau of Patrol Operations.  The East Region of the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office consists of District 1-West Palm Beach, District 14-City of Lake Worth Beach, and District 16- City of Greenacres.  The men and women assigned to the East Regional Bureau are committed to providing professional, problem solving law enforcement services to our residents and guests.

Major Palenzuela started his law enforcement career with the Boynton Beach Police Department in 1996. He worked as a Road Patrol Officer and participated in many aspects of Community Policing while at Boynton PD. He left the Boynton Beach Police Department in 1998 and joined the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.  He also served in the Army and Florida National Guard from 1988 to 1995.

Since becoming a member of PBSO, he has worked and supervised in the following capacities: Patrol, Investigations, Media Relations, Internal Affairs, and Records. Major Palenzuela has been promoted through the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and was appointed Major August of 2024.

He has attended hundreds of hours of advanced and specialized career development courses throughout his career.  In addition, he is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute Administrative Officers Course, class number 126. Major Palenzuela has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Nova Southeastern University.   He is married with three wonderful children. Hobbies include fitness and reading.