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Detroit Sector Border Patrol Holds Change of Command Ceremony

Release Date
Fri, 05/27/2016

Chief Patrol Agent Douglas Harrison Assumes Command

DETROIT— Detroit Sector Border Patrol held an official Change of Command ceremony Thursday May 26, on Selfridge Air National Guard Base.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting U.S Border Patrol Chief Ronald D. Vitiello participated in the ceremony, which formally installed Chief Patrol Agent Douglas Harrison as the head of Detroit Sector.

Acting U.S. Border Patrol Chief Ronald D. Vitiello swore in Chief Patrol Agent Douglas Harrison as Chief Patrol Agent of Detroit Sector

Acting U.S. Border Patrol Chief Ronald D. Vitiello swore in Chief Patrol Agent Douglas Harrison as Chief Patrol Agent of Detroit Sector

The Change of Command ceremony is a long-standing tradition and symbolizes the transfer of responsibility to the incoming Chief Patrol Agent.  It also allows Border Patrol Agents assigned to Detroit Sector to participate in the transition of leadership.  During the ceremony Chief Vitiello pinned the Chief Patrol Agent badge on Chief Harrison, who then reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the borders of the United States by reciting the Oath of Office.  The ceremony was attended by numerous federal, state, local and International partners. 

“Our mission of preventing the entry of terrorists and terrorist weapons has never been more critical,” said Chief Patrol Agent Douglas Harrison. “I therefore pledge my unwavering commitment to the personnel and families of Detroit Sector, our partners on both sides of our borders, and to the communities we serve.”

Chief Harrison entered on duty with the U.S. Border Patrol on March 9, 1998, as a member of Class 368. His first duty assignment was at the Laredo South Station in the Laredo Sector. Chief Harrison comes to Detroit after most recently serving as the Deputy Chief Patrol Agent of the Grand Forks Sector.

Prior to joining the Border Patrol, Chief Patrol Agent Harrison served in the U.S. Army for more than 12 years as a military police noncommissioned officer, stationed in New York, Korea, Nevada, Puerto Rico, and finally, with the 101st Airborne Division in Kentucky. Chief Harrison graduated from high school in Arvada, Colorado, and attended college in New York and Korea. He graduated with honors from the Border Patrol Academy and several military schools.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021