Candidate for
Sheriff; City of San Francisco

Sheriff's Captain Paul Miyamoto's Biography

Captain Paul Michael Miyamoto is a San Francisco native, with a Chinese-American mother and Japanese-American father. He has served in the San Francisco Sheriff's Department (SFSD) for 15 years. Throughout his career, Paul has shown a great capacity for leadership. In addition to being a supervisor in the jails, he has served as manager of the training unit, the investigations unit, and the institutional patrol unit at San Francisco General Hospital. As a Captain, Paul has been responsible for managing both the department's maximum security jail, and since 2009, managing the largest jail that offers programs and education for those incarcerated. Since 2005, he has served as the Commander of the Department's Special Response Team, which handles emergencies requiring special weapons and tactics training. He has also served as Operations Lieutenant both at the oldest County Jail, and the opening of the newest Jail at San Bruno. In addition, he was a team leader in the URBAN SHIELD SWAT team competition from 2007-2009, and participated in the Best in the West SWAT Competition for five years.

Paul has consistently shown his commitment to improving the effectiveness of the SFSD. He has been certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training as an instructor for fellow deputies and staff. In addition to his field duties, he has managed the SFSD's Training Unit and spearheaded the creation of the Department's Field Training Manual / Field Training Officer Program, which helps streamline and improve the training of new deputies. Paul is also an instructor in Advanced Officer Training in radio communications, racial profiling, tactical/interpersonal communications, and tactical planning, as well as Specialized Training in crowd control and management, WMD first responder operations, incident command, and tactical operations.

Paul has regularly engaged with the San Francisco community outside his duties with the SFSD. Since 1999, he has participated every year in the SFPD's Lion Dance Team at the annual Chinese New Year Parade. In addition, he has volunteered with Self Help for the Elderly, a non-profit committed to helping low income and isolated seniors by providing social services and hot meals. Paul also volunteers his time coaching basketball both for daughter Melanie's school team and son Jordan's league team. Most recently, he joined the Board of Directors for the San Francisco Juniors Volleyball Club.

Born in 1967, Paul attended Lowell High in San Francisco before earning his Bachelor's Degree in History from UC Davis. At the SFPD Police Academy, he was elected President of the 17th Regional Class. Paul met his wife, LeeAnn, in 1996 when both were SFSD Deputies. LeeAnn transferred to SFPD and served the City as a Police Officer for 10 years. They have five children together: Melanie (9), Jordan (7), and triplets Joseph, Marissa, and Maya (3).