HOUSTON – The Harris County Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) announced the appointment of Ban Tien as its new Chief of Police.

Prior to joining METRO, Tien served as the Assistant Chief of Police Administrator for the Houston Police Department, making history as the first Asian American to hold that role. He also has a distinguished military career, having served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve for 32 years, including combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“This appointment reaffirms that METRO has no room for crime and Chief Tien is the proven leader we need to protect the system,” METRO Board Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock said in a news release.

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Tien’s appointment is in line with METRO’s commitment to improving safety and security for drivers, officials said. The agency is implementing a variety of measures to improve customer experience, including increased police presence, advanced technology and improved infrastructure.

“We are grateful for Chief Bumpers’ 43 years of dedicated service to the METRO Police Department,” said METRO Executive Vice President of Safety, Security and Facilities Santiago Osorio. “We wish him success in his retirement.”