The National Border Patrol Council would like to thank Chief Vitiello for all the hard work he’s done for and on behalf of the Agents and Agency. Understanding that there was a need for a stable life outside of work and recognizing best practices within the industry, Chief Vitiello, even though he faced opposition, decided to provide a stable work and home life for agents by agreeing to a Bid-For-Shift MOU for all of the Texas Border Patrol Sectors – El Paso, Big Bend, Del Rio, Laredo, and the Rio Grande Valley.
Over the past few years Chief Vitiello has been a strong advocate for agents and during his time as the decision maker he’s put the mission first while also improving our agents’ lives. Under his leadership we have been able to create more mobility for agents than ever before. We got rid of the clean shifts that Chief David Aguilar implemented just so other non-agent priorities could be met. We’ve been able to create a HIP program for all agents and we’ve been able to get much better uniforms, even though our shirts still have to be changed in the near future. Unlike most of his predecessors, Chief Vitiello has not been self serving, rather he’s made the decisions he feels are best for the agency and the agents.
Chief Vitiello understands the issues that come from some self-serving managers and agents within the Border Patrol and the need to change and improve. He’s endeavored to enact positive change through positive programs involving agent safety and stabilizing pay and not mere words. He’s the only chief that has held his managers accountable and not just agents. Commissioner Kerlikowske has been beating the culture change drum for over two years without realizing the change has been taking place under his nose by a man who goes quietly about his work with class and dignity. If the commissioner truly wants to make a positive change in the culture of the Border Patrol he need not look any further than the chief he already has in place; a chief that has the trust and respect of his managers and bargaining unit agents alike.
The new chief is supposed to be announced sometime in the middle of this month, we suspect it will be from the outside, but for the good of the Border Patrol and this country/border security, we, the NBPC, sincerely hope it will be Chief Vitiello.
