Paul Miyamoto

Paul Miyamoto is an American politician. He is the 37th sheriff of San Francisco, the second East Asian American sheriff in California history and the second from the department to be elected into office.

Early life Miyamoto is a native of San Francisco and a graduate of Lowell High School. His father was Philip Miyamoto, an appellate judge for the state of California of Japanese descent. His mother is of Chinese descent.

Miyamoto graduated from University of California, Davis in 1989.

San Francisco Sheriff's Department Miyamoto joined the San Francisco Sheriff's Department in 1996.

Sheriff He first ran for sheriff in 2011, placing second against Ross Mirkarimi.

Miyamoto was Chief Deputy when he ran for sheriff to succeed Vicki Hennessy in 2019. He was sworn in on January 8, 2020, as the city's 37th sheriff.

In July 2025, Miyamoto endorsed the Republican Sheriff of Riverside County, Chad Bianco, for Governor of California in 2026.

Personal life Miyamoto's family was interned during WWII at Heart Mountain Relocation Center. He is married with five children.