The career of San Francisco’s newly appointed police chief, Derrick Lew, shows a steady progression from line officer to chief, with key leadership roles and the addressing of violent and drug crimes along the way. But his roots are in San Francisco’s Richmond District, and he attended St. Ignatius College Preparatory School, an institution with a long history of developing local leaders. He then attended Boston University, earning a degree in economics, and returned to San Francisco to work in finance. But the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks moved Lew toward a career in public safety.
Speaking before a crowd at San Francisco’s Hall of Justice on Bryant Street after his appointment was formally announced by Mayor Daniel Lurie, Lew said, “The city provided my grandparents with opportunities to overcome language and cultural barriers and build great lives for their children. I was a direct beneficiary of this opportunity. He added, “I loved growing up in San Francisco, and though I usually managed to avoid the attention of SFPD officers, I always admired them for their dedication and selflessness. I decided to join these ranks myself because I’ve always believed in accountability, and that by holding those engaging in criminal activity accountable, we ultimately deter crime and restore justice for victims.”
- Lew entered the police academy in 2002 and, upon graduation, served as a patrol officer from 2003 to the 2010s at the Ingleside, Bayview, and Mission stations.
- In 2006, Lew, along with partner Fabian Fowler, came under fire in a shooting incident involving Charles Breed, a cousin of future mayor London Breed. Charles Breed had taken part in the murder of two people just minutes earlier. Fowler shot and killed him in the exchange. He was awarded a department Medal of Valor in Gold, and Lew received a Medal of Valor in Silver for their conduct during the incident.
- He then served as a sergeant at Central Station with the narcotics division, and on a federal task force with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, focusing on auto theft, auto burglary, narcotics, and illegal firearms.
- As a lieutenant, Lew helped to build and then led the Crime Gun Investigations Center, coordinating major cases against illegal gun trafficking and related violence.
- By 2022, Lew was captain of Ingleside Station. The following year, he was promoted to Commander to run the Drug Market Agency Coordination Center, leading multiagency operations against open‑air drug markets.
- In May 2025, he was promoted to deputy chief of the Field Operations Bureau, in charge of all 10 district stations, citywide patrol operations, and drug‑market enforcement.