The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday afternoon to confirm Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus as U.S. Customs and Border Protection commissioner.
Magnus was confirmed by a 50-47 vote mostly along party lines — with three Senators abstaining. He has led the Tucson Police Department since 2016 and was nominated to lead CBP by President Joe Biden earlier this year.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero says Magus’ hire brought reforms to the police department.
“We hired him to reform and update TPD, and I am sure that President Biden selected him so that he could institute change at CBP,” she said.
CBP is the parent agency for port officers and the U.S. Border Patrol. Romero says she hopes Magnus’ appointment improves transparency and accountability within the agency.
She and the Tucson City Council voted to approve Deputy Police Chief Chad Kasmar as the city’s next police chief. His position could become active as early as today.
