The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) Board approved the hiring of Eric Robins to become the chief administrator of transit police effective Aug. 1, 2022.
Robins, a native Texan, is coming to the agency with 30 years of experience in law enforcement, most recently serving as the chief of police for Sugar Land, Texas.
“There’s so much to look forward to at CapMetro,” said CapMetro Board Chair Jeff Travillion. "Eric Robins [has a] stellar reputation and will bring great experience to the agency. [Eric has] been in law enforcement for a long time, and he has a passion for working with and building trust with community members.”
Robins earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Houston-Downtown and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University. He is also a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police and the FBI National Academy. Currently, Robins is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and the Texas Police Chief’s Association.
The board voted to approve a resolution in 2021 to create the transit police. The agency is currently working towards completing the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) requirements necessary to establish a sworn police department. CapMetro expects to be certified by TCOLE by 2024, at which point Robins’ position would become the chief of police and transit police would begin operating on the CapMetro system.
“There’s a lot to be excited about at CapMetro,” said Interim President and CEO Dottie Watkins. “The agency is growing quickly and we’re adding members to our team who really care about the service we provide to this great community. I welcome Board Member Harriss and Eric to CapMetro, and I look forward to the expertise they will provide.”
