By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Manuel Padilla Jr., a native of southern Arizona and long-time federal authority, has been appointed chief of the Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector, the Arizona Daily Star reports.
Padilla, who has worked with Border Patrol for 26 years, was serving as the acting chief at the office since October 2012; before that he served as deputy chief.
The Tucson Sector is critical to border safety because it has more than 4,500 employees who are tasked with securing 262 miles of the U.S.-Mexican border.
Padilla replaced Chief Richard A. Barlow, who took a job as chief of Strategic Planning, Policy and Analysis Division at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“Tucson Sector remains committed to serving the communities” and “our agents are dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure border environment,” Padilla said.
