Our job is to keep people safe
Sheriff Miyamoto: Protecting public safety while ensuring accountability
Recently, there have been decisions by grand juries, convened by the District Attorney’s Office, charging law enforcement members when using force to effect arrests.
Uses of force to protect public safety and prevent harm to others are responses based on the actions of the arrestee or those in crisis. Our public safety agencies are trained in de-escalation techniques and practices as a part of our use of force continuum. It is not just a simple progression, but constantly, sometimes instantaneously, determining appropriate responses to the behavior and actions of those who pose a threat to themselves or others.
As much as we prepare for crisis situations, public safety officers are human beings who have human reactions. We walk a tightrope in determining whether a use of force is appropriate, or excessive, in response to each situation.
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Our employees reflect our diverse communities
The San Francisco Sheriff's Office employs more than 1,000 people. Our gender distribution is 22 percent female and 78 percent male. Here's our staff distribution by race/ethnicity:
American Indian .5 percent
Asian 23 percent
Black 16 percent
Filipino 14 percent
Hispanic 21 percent
White 25.5 percent
We are 100 percent committed to your public safety!
Please visit our About page for more information.
We believe in dignity and fairness
Every human being deserves respect. We believe in repairing harm, rebuilding relationships, and focusing on the future. Education, job training, behavioral health support. We connect people with services on the outside so they don’t return to the inside.
Our Mission
The San Francisco Sheriff’s Office works with the public, the criminal justice system, and community stakeholders to safeguard the lives, rights, and property of all people we serve.
We strive to complete our mission in a manner that maintains the trust and confidence of the people of San Francisco.
We make San Francisco safer
The Sheriff’s Office keeps people safe — inside and outside the county jails, in the buildings we help protect, and in the communities we serve.
We help domestic violence victims rebuild their lives. We provide mutual aid to our law enforcement partners in emergencies and natural disasters. We offer education and job training to support those leaving the justice system, which builds stronger, safer communities.
Sheriff Appoints BART Commander Tanzanika Carter to Assistant Sheriff
Sheriff Miyamoto appointed Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Commander Tanzanika Carter to Assistant Sheriff, the third highest ranking position in the San Francisco Sheriff's Office. Assistant Sheriff Carter assumed her role effective January 2021.
Assistant Sheriff Carter brings extensive leadership and diverse work experience to the Sheriff's Office as a 24-year-law enforcement veteran. She recently served as BART's commander for the Contra Costa area. She has trained and served in multiple assignments including as Field Training Officer, Detective, Hostage Negotiator, Chaplain Coordinator, Watch Commander and Zone Commander.
"Assistant Sheriff Carter is skilled on many levels," said Sheriff Miyamoto. "She brings an outsider's perspective to our office and will help us identify gaps in our training and experience. The new Assistant Sheriff will play a key role as the Sheriff's Office works to strengthen our relationships with the communities we serve."
If you believe a person housed in San Francisco county jail requires immediate attention for a medical condition or mental health crisis, please call:
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.: (415) 554-7225
All other times, including weekends and holidays: (415) 553-1444
