City and County of
San Francisco
Office of the Sheriff
Established 1850
San Francisco Sheriff's Department Newsletter Issue 71
January 10, 2020
Paul Miyamoto makes history as first Asian American Sheriff in California
On Wednesday, January 8, 2020, Sheriff Paul M. Miyamoto was officially sworn in as the 37 th Sheriff of San Francisco, becoming the first Asian American elected to the Office of Sheriff in the state of California.

In his inaugural address, Sheriff Miyamoto shared his father’s family story of resilience after being forcibly relocated to an internment camp during World War II. The Miyamotos lost everything but later “became the change they wanted to see,” said Sheriff Miyamoto. His father, Phil, practiced law and later became an appellate judge for the state of California.

The family’s experiences informed Sheriff Miyamoto’s decision to join the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department over 23 years ago. He has served at every rank in the department, up to Assistant Sheriff.

The Attorney General of the State of California, Xavier Becerra, swore in Sheriff Miyamoto. His family, including the Sheriff’s wife LeeAnn, and their five children, accompanied him at the podium.
AG Becerra swears in Sheriff Miyamoto
In his inaugural speech , Sheriff Miyamoto addressed the issues that face the department, including an increase in the number of people in jail who suffer from behavioral health issues. “This has challenged our infrastructure and our staff,” he said. “We share these challenges across all our city agencies and with our justice and public safety partners. We collaborate to build and nurture relationships and trust and to provide services to everyone.”

In response to the changing jail population, Sheriff Miyamoto said that the Sheriff’s Department has created psychiatric sheltered living units, which provide consistent care and structure.

“Our behavioral health assistance teams are supporting people in jail collaborating and coordinating care and individual treatment plans for people housed in these units,” he said. “And it’s making a positive difference in their lives, creating new hope for their successful re-entry into the community.”

Sheriff Miyamoto is only the second Sheriff in the department’s 169-year history to rise from the ranks and be elected Sheriff. A native of San Francisco, he has served 23 years at every rank in the department up to Assistant Sheriff. 

For more information, click here to read Sheriff Miyamoto's bio.
Click the Video to Watch Sheriff Miyamoto's First Message to his Staff
Information: 415-554-7225
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