San Francisco’s First Chinese-American Public Safety Chief, Former Police Officer Le Pian’en

After a series of appointments, on January 2, 2025, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced the appointment of Paul Yep, a Chinese-American commander in the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), as the city’s first Chief of Public Safety.

This appointment is part of Mayor Lurie’s restructuring plan for the mayor’s office in 2025 and reflects his determination to improve the operational efficiency and accountability of the city government.

In a press release, Mayor Lurie stated, “I am proud to announce Paul Yep as our first Chief of Public Safety. His career has been dedicated to ensuring the safety of San Francisco residents, making him the most qualified candidate for this crucial position. Together, we will support law enforcement agencies to enhance the sense of security for every resident, worker, and visitor.”

According to the press release from Mayor Lurie’s office, the duties of the Chief of Public Safety include coordinating and overseeing various key departments of the city government, including the police, fire department, and emergency management, with a focus on community safety, emergency response, street behavior management, and more. Yep will also work closely with the police department, sheriff’s office, district attorney’s office, and other institutions to promote public safety policies in San Francisco.

Yep is excited about the new challenge. He stated, “I am honored to join Mayor Lurie’s team as the Chief of Public Safety. I look forward to leveraging my experience to help Mayor Lurie achieve his vision of building stronger and safer communities.”

San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto commented, “Paul Yep is a thoughtful and service-oriented leader who is passionate about enhancing the safety of San Francisco residents. I have known Yep for over 35 years, even before we entered the law enforcement field. My office looks forward to working closely with Yep and Mayor Lurie to make San Francisco one of the safest major cities in the nation.”

Self-Help for the Elderly (SHE) is a community organization that primarily serves immigrant and non-English-speaking Asian elderly individuals. Anni Chung, the President and CEO of SHE, expressed her joy in Paul Yep’s continuous service to the community and the people of San Francisco, highlighting his reliable support for the Chinese community on issues such as public safety.

With over 28 years of experience in the San Francisco Police Department, Yep has held various leadership positions, including Commander at Central Police Station, Northern Police Station, and Richmond Police Station. He has overseen projects dealing with sensitive topics like domestic violence, human trafficking, and served as the Director of Basic Training at the police academy, contributing significantly to the department’s reform and strategic planning.

After retiring from the police department, Yep served as the Vice President of Academy of Arts University since July 2023, overseeing campus security and laboratory resources. He is dedicated to fostering strong community connections and has received recognition and accolades from numerous public officials and institutions as a result.

Yep was born and raised in San Francisco. He graduated from Lowell High School and San Francisco State University with a degree in Business Administration. A passionate Bay Area sports fan, he enjoys playing golf, practicing martial arts, traveling, and spending time with his family. ◇