Dozens of San Francisco officials and police officers stood on the steps outside the Hall of Justice on Thursday to welcome incoming police Chief Derrick Lew. “Growing up in San Francisco, I had no idea my career would lead me to this moment,” Lew said in a speech with tears in his eyes. “I am sincerely and incredibly humbled to have been named your chief of police and promise to do everything in my power to do right by you.” Lurie appointed Lew to the position following a six-month long, nationwide search after former Police Chief Bill Scott stepped down. In between, Paul Yep served as interim police chief. “When the mayor told me that Derrick Lew would be the new police chief, I was thrilled,” Yep said in a speech. “Derrick Lew has stood out as a truly exceptional talent.” Lew is a San Francisco native who has spent more than 20 years in the department, entering the SFPD academy in 2002. He is the grandson of Chinese immigrants who ran a small business. “Derrick Lew knows this city, he knows this department and he knows the communities we serve,” Lurie said. “He is the next generation leader for the department. He’s the leader that the city deserves and needs.” Lew was awarded a medal of valor for his role in a shooting where his partner was fatally shot by Charles Breed, the cousin of former Mayor London Breed. “As an officer, he worked some of the most dangerous assignments,” Yep said. “He has always had a stellar reputation. He is respected and admired for outstanding police work over the years.” Lew became captain of the Ingleside Station in 2022 before being tapped to run SFPD’s Drug Market Agency Coordination Center, which conducts operations against open-air drug dealing. He was promoted in May to the role of deputy chief leading the department’s Field Operations Bureau. His first priorities will be boosting staffing levels in the department, cracking down on open-air drug markets, and continuing to integrate technology to aid in operations. “Addressing the drug crisis and improving conditions on our streets is not up for debate,” Lew said. “As your chief, I will fight for you and work to get more officers into this department with the urgency.” Lew was chosen out of 34 applicants, a list that the San Francisco Police Commission narrowed down to less than to 10 names. After interviews with the candidates, the commission cut the list down to three finalists. The list was sent three weeks ago to Lurie, who ultimately had the final say. “I think we had a lot of really qualified and really excellent candidates,” said Police Commission Vice President Kevin Benedicto in an interview. “I’m really looking forward to working with the chief to continue to make this department the best department that it can be.” Yep said he will be working closely with Lew as an advisor during the transition. “Derrick Lew represents the future of this department, and the future is bright,” Yep said. “I plan to stay on board as an advisor under Lew’s leadership over the next few months to ensure we continue to build on the successes over this past year.” Lew will officially begin duties as chief starting Dec. 22. ...read more read less