On December 4, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced the appointment of Derrick Lew, the deputy chief of the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), as the new police chief. With over 20 years of law enforcement experience, Lew is set to assume his new position officially on December 22, taking over from interim chief Paul Yep.
Yep will continue to serve as a senior advisor to the SFPD chief, ensuring a smooth transition and assisting in maintaining public safety during the major events scheduled for San Francisco in 2026.
At the press conference held at the Hall of Justice, Mayor Lurie praised Lew’s outstanding capabilities, particularly in community policing, investigative work, drug enforcement, and inter-agency collaboration, stating that Lew is the best candidate to lead the police department.
Expressing his gratitude for the appointment by the mayor, Lew vowed to give his all in serving the community, including efforts to expedite police recruitment, combat drug markets, improve street environments and public safety, reduce homicides, protect marginalized groups, and advocate for police rights.
Lew, a native of San Francisco, has always admired the dedication of police officers. After graduating from Boston University and working in finance for several years, he joined the San Francisco Police Department driven by a sense of mission to serve the local community, beginning his 22-year career in law enforcement.
Believing in holding criminals accountable to ultimately deter crime and uphold justice for victims, Lew has accumulated valuable frontline experience in handling gun violence, drug-related crimes, and violent offenses in various precincts such as Ingleside, Bayview, Mission, and Central Station.
After being promoted to Police Lieutenant, he played a key role in establishing the Crime Gun Investigation Center (CGIC) within the police department, tasked with combating illegal firearm possession and trafficking. In 2022, he served as the captain of the Ingleside Station.
In 2023, Lew was promoted to commander, leading the Drug Market Enforcement Coordination Center (DMACC), a collaborative effort involving multiple city departments to crackdown on open-air drug trading citywide, coordinating with the California Highway Patrol, Sheriff’s Office, DEA, FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
In May 2025, he was promoted to deputy chief, overseeing the Field Operations Bureau responsible for patrolling all ten precincts in the city and managing the DMACC.
The DMACC was established in 2023 as a multi-agency task force to target drug-related crimes such as trafficking and drug use in areas like Chinatown and the Southern Market District. In early 2025, the initiative expanded to the Mission District.
Interim Chief Yep commended Lew for leading the DMACC during the height of the fentanyl crisis and successfully managing the most complex field operations bureau of the department, showcasing his leadership abilities.
Lew’s appointment received support from the San Francisco Police Association, various officials, and community representatives who believe he will continue the recent improvements in public safety, enhance community partnerships, and deepen trust between law enforcement and civilians.