2 high ranking Chinese American officers retire early from SFPD, the community shocked and worried

(SAN FRANCISCO) Two high ranking Chinese American police officers, Commander Paul Yep and Captain Robert Yick, took an early retirement respectively on August 1 and July 1 that has shocked the Chinese community. The community is also concerned about the underrepresentation of future Chinese and Asian American leaders getting worse in the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD).

Both Yep and Yick were born and raised in San Francisco Chinatown. Both were 3-term Station Captains that have not been always seen in the history of SFPD. For many decades, the majority of the members of the Command Staff were promoted after being one-term Station Captains. Some of them had never had any experience of being the commanding officers at any police stations.

Under the existing city system, police officers may have the maximum pension and benefit after serving 30 years in the SFPD. Yep retires after 28 years serving at SFPD, while Yick has 29 years of experience at SFPD.

Yep and Yick did not mention what led them to retire early. "I am very grateful for the support from the Chinese community throughout my career. I am grateful to have a successful career. My hope is that I will continue to work with the community on many issues, including public safety," said Yep.

"This is my own decision. I always believe that I still can serve the community outside the Police Department," Yep added.

"I completed 29 years. Working at two stations was challenging but a very rewarding experience. I will miss working and collaborating with our members, city personnel, merchants and residents in keeping our city safe," Yick said.

Both of them did not provide more details of their decisions to take early retirement. Sources said it was related to the latest promotions by Police Chief Bill Scott. Yick had been an Acting Commander for months this year until he submitted his retirement papers in June. Yep and Yick were among the most senior Commanders and Captains, but they were not on the list for promotions which took effect from July.

Wind Newspaper had sent an inquiry on July 7 to Scott on the Chinese and Asian American officers promotions which have been underrepresented throughout his administration since 2017. Scott has not responded for comment by the latest press time.

Yep was promoted to Captain in 2016 and to Commander in November 2021. He served as the Captain of Richmond, Central and Northern Stations separately at different times. He was one of the most respected Chinese American police officers. Prior to his promotion as Captain, Yep had served as a Lieutenant in the Central Police Station.

As Yep said, he has never left the community. He served as the President of Asian Peace Officers Association (APOA) for 4 years to fight for equal opportunities for his colleagues.

Yep was assigned to the Risk Management Unit since he was promoted to Commander in November 2021 which had kept him limited opportunities from serving the community.

Yick, a fifth-generation San Franciscan, was from a prestigious family. His grandfather was a Chinatown leader and successful businessman. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2017. He first served as the Taraval Station Captain and later became the Central Station Captain. Yick was transferred back to head the Taraval Station in 2022 until he retired from SFPD in late June 2023.

Sunset Supervisor Joel Engardio had worked with Yick since he took office in January 2023. "Captain Yick was popular, effective and respected. The community is sad to see him retire but he has our support and best wishes for a happy retirement," said Engardio.

"I know many Sunset residents appreciated the representation Captain Yick brought to the neighborhoods as a Chinese American. Hopefully our next captain can also represent the Chinese American community, but regardless of their background, I know Sunset residents want and deserve a police captain like Robert Yick who will serve the community at the highest standard," Egardio said.

"I am saddened to see Commander Yep and Captain Yick retire early. They play bigger roles for our community as leaders of the Police Department and mentors for the younger generation in the law enforcement profession," said Yvonne Lee, former San Francisco Police Commissioner and former member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Lee served on the Police Commission when Heather Fong was the Police Chief who made history as the first Asian woman Chief to head any metropolitan police department in the country. "When we look back in the early 1990s, we had the first Chinese American Police Chief Fred Lau in San Francisco. We also had our first woman Police Chief Heather Fong in the City in 2004. 20 years later, we are now going backward with a lack of police leaders from our community," Lee said.

Bill Wong, a Chinatown family association leader and former Presiding President of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA), remembered how Yep was working very closely with him on many issues when he headed the CCBA in 2017. "Yep is very talented and outstanding. In my mind he was the best Central Station Captain who assigned most Chinese American officers patrolling Chinatown and created the Chinatown Sergeant position," said Wong. "Yep's retirement is a big loss to the Police Department as well as to our community."

"Congrats to Paul and Robert on their retirement after a lifetime of service to San Francisco. We hope after some rest, they can continue to support public safety in some capacity and mentor the next generation of Asian Americans in SFPD leadership," said Justin Zhu, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Stand with Asian Americans which is a newly-founded organization to fight against anti-Asian hate and violence since the pandemic in 2020.