Derrick Lew Sworn In as San Francisco Police Chief, Pledges Public Safety

San Francisco ushered in new leadership at City Hall when Mayor Daniel Lurie administered the public oath to Derrick Lew during a ceremony attended by hundreds of officers, Board of Supervisors members, and civic leaders. The gathering on January 21, 2026, marked Lew’s formal community-facing start after he had previously taken a private oath.

Derrick Lew is a 22-year SFPD veteran whose elevation to chief arrives as the city confronts persistent concerns about street safety, staffing shortages, and visible drug markets in several neighborhoods. Lew said he is “eager and deeply honored” to lead the department and signaled that his immediate priorities will include bolstering officer recruitment and targeting open-air drug markets alongside a broader emphasis on public safety.

Mayor Daniel Lurie led the ceremony at City Hall, framing the swearing-in as a civic moment that brought together elected officials, rank-and-file officers, and community stakeholders. Board of Supervisors members and other elected leaders were present, underscoring the political stakes for a city balancing public safety demands with calls for oversight and reform.

Lew’s tenure begins with practical, operational challenges. San Francisco has struggled with staffing levels in recent years, and recruitment drives will be central to Lew’s strategy to restore patrol capacity and reduce response times. His stated focus on cracking down on open-air drug markets responds directly to neighborhood complaints about quality of life and public disorder that have become a persistent political issue at the local level.

For residents, changes under Chief Lew could affect everyday experiences on transit, commercial corridors, and residential blocks. Increased recruitment could mean more visible patrols and quicker emergency responses. Enforcement actions aimed at open-air drug markets may bring immediate relief in affected areas but will also test coordination with public health providers and community-based services that address addiction and homelessness.

Lew’s public swearing-in positions him as both an operational leader and a public-facing figure expected to navigate San Francisco’s complex social landscape. The ceremony’s attendance by hundreds of officers and civic leaders signals expectations for both results and accountability.

In the weeks ahead, San Franciscans should watch for specifics on recruitment timelines, shifts in patrol deployments, and how the new chief plans to coordinate enforcement with social services. Derrick Lew’s actions will be measured not only by enforcement numbers but by whether communities across the city feel safer and better supported.