San Francisco Mayor-Elect Names Paul Yep (叶培恩) as First-Ever Chief of Public Safety

Jan 2, 2025, 09:21 PM

San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie has announced the appointment of Paul Yep (叶培恩), a retired San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) commander, as the city's first-ever Chief of Public Safety. This newly created role will oversee public safety initiatives, including collaboration with law enforcement agencies, emergency response, and neighborhood safety. Yep, who retired from the SFPD in 2023 after 28 years of service, previously served as a vice president at the Academy of Art University and advised Lurie's campaign. Known for his strong ties to the city's Chinese American community, Yep has been a prominent advocate for public safety and equitable representation in law enforcement. Lurie emphasized public safety as his top priority during his campaign and expressed confidence in Yep's ability to address key challenges, such as the fentanyl crisis, police staffing shortages, and supporting street crisis response teams. Lurie will be sworn in on January 8, with celebrations planned in Chinatown. Yep's appointment reflects Lurie's commitment to restructuring city governance to tackle pressing safety concerns.