San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has selected San Francisco Police Department veteran Derrick Lew as chief of police, replacing interim Chief Paul Yep.

Lew’s appointment of the San Francisco native comes as the city has struggled to fully staff its police force. But it also comes as crime rates in the city have plummeted in recent years, following a challenging pandemic period where multiple crimes against Asian Americans put community members on edge. The 52-year-old has served various roles in the department for nearly two decades and now will steer the city’s public safety efforts.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to lead the San Francisco Police Department — the gold standard in policing,” Lew said in a statement. “I have tremendous admiration for the men and women of this department,

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