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Release Date: Nov. 8, 2024
Media Hot Line: 713.739.4040

METRO Appoints New Police Chief

Today, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) announced the appointment of Ban Tien as the new Chief of the METRO Police Department.

Tien currently serves as the Executive Assistant Chief of Police for the Houston Police Department, the first Asian American to hold the rank. His appointment at METRO marks another historic milestone as he becomes the first Asian American to lead the department. Tien has also served as a Special Agent for the United States Drug Enforcement Agency and for 32 years in the United States Army and Army Reserve, including three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The appointment coincides with the Authority’s commitment to growing ridership by making the system safer, cleaner, more reliable, and accessible for all. Growing security presence, more strategic deployment of officers, adding police substations, and upgrading camera technology, lighting and security fencing are all part of METRO’s approach to a better customer experience.

"This appointment reaffirms that METRO is no place for crime, and Chief Tien is the proven leader we need to safeguard the system,” said METRO Board Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock. “The decision to entrust him with this role furthers Mayor John Whitmire's mission of better coordination between MPD and HPD. This departmental alliance is a huge step forward for a safer Houston and a safer region.”

Tien succeeds Chief Vera Bumpers, who has served in the role since 2014. Chief Bumpers is the first woman to lead the METRO Police Department and the first woman to have been promoted in every single rank.

“It has been an honor to work alongside Chief Bumpers,” said Santiago Osorio, METRO Executive Vice President of Safety, Security, and Facilities. “We are grateful for her 43 years of dedicated service to the METRO Police Department and wish her the best in her next chapter.”

METRO police officers are licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and patrol area streets, roadways and METRO facilities. They also provide assistance in the field on fare-related issues, trip planning and general customer needs.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is the region’s largest public transit provider, offering safe, clean, reliable, accessible and friendly transportation services. METRO’s transit network includes local bus, METRORail, which includes the Red Line (Main Street and Northline), the Green Line (East End) and the Purple Line (Southeast), Park & Ride commuter buses, METROLift paratransit service, HOV/HOT Express Lanes, curb2curb microtransit service and METRO Star Vanpool. Road improvement projects are also part of METRO’s commitment to the Houston region. Learn more about METRO services at RideMETRO.org, where you will also find useful tools like the RideMETRO app where you can plan your trip and even pay your fare from your phone.