San Francisco Sheriff’s Chief of Staff Richard Jue crashed his department vehicle into a parked Tesla, fled the scene, and then falsely reported himself as the victim of a hit-and-run before finally admitting his guilt weeks later.
Key Takeaways
- Richard Jue, Chief of Staff for the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, crashed a department vehicle into a parked Tesla on March 4, totaling the car before fleeing the scene
- Jue initially filed a false police report claiming he was the victim of a hit-and-run, only admitting his guilt two weeks after the incident
- Despite being in a civilian position, Jue wore a uniform, badge, gun, and was issued a city vehicle due to his “Peace Officer Status”
- Jue faces misdemeanor charges of hit-and-run and filing a false police report, and has been released on a $7,500 bond
- The incident follows a pattern of questionable behavior in San Francisco law enforcement, raising serious concerns about accountability and public trust
Another Law Enforcement Leader Breaks the Law
The San Francisco Sheriff’s Office is facing yet another scandal as Chief of Staff Richard Jue has been charged with hit-and-run and filing a false police report after a March 4 incident. Jue, who previously served three decades with the San Francisco Police Department before taking his current role, was arrested on June 22 and subsequently released on a $7,500 bond. The charges were formally announced by the city’s attorney general on June 23, over three months after the incident occurred, raising questions about preferential treatment and delayed accountability in a city already plagued by crime and progressive policies.
According to prosecutors, Jue was off-duty when he crashed his sheriff’s department vehicle into a parked Tesla on Diamond Heights Boulevard, causing significant damage to both vehicles. Rather than take responsibility, Jue fled the scene without leaving any contact information for the Tesla owner. The sheriff’s official then waited a full two weeks before reporting the incident, and when he did, he attempted to portray himself as the victim rather than the perpetrator.
Deception and Delayed Admission
“When he reported it, he claimed that he had been the victim of an unknown hit-and-run in a parking lot,” stated the prosecutor’s office. “The next day, he filed another report, apologized, and admitted that he caused the crash and left the scene without leaving a note,” authorities said. This delayed admission came only after the Tesla was discovered to be totaled, with authorities piecing together what actually happened. This behavior from a high-ranking law enforcement official represents a significant breach of public trust and professional ethics.
“Jue allegedly waited weeks to even report the crash, and when he did, he lied, said authorities.
Sheriff Paul Miyamoto has placed Jue on leave pending both the criminal case and an administrative investigation, attempting to salvage the department’s reputation. “The sheriff’s office holds all members — regardless of rank or role — to the highest ethical and professional standards,” Sheriff Miyamoto stated. However, the incident has already damaged public perception of law enforcement integrity in a city where citizens increasingly feel unsafe and unprotected by those sworn to serve them.
Special Privileges Raise Eyebrows
Questions about preferential treatment have emerged as details about Jue’s position come to light. Despite holding what should be a civilian administrative role as Chief of Staff, Jue “maintains Peace Officer Status” according to the Sheriff’s Department. This status allowed him special privileges including wearing a uniform, badge, and gun, plus being issued a government vehicle – the same one he crashed and then abandoned at the scene of the accident. These perks have reportedly caused resentment among other department employees.
“San Francisco Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Richard Jue was charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run and for filing a false police report after allegedly crashing a sheriff’s vehicle into a parked car, the city’s attorney general announced on June 23,” reported the city’s attorney general.
The charges against Jue come at a particularly troubling time for San Francisco’s law enforcement community, following closely behind the arrest of a rookie SFPD officer for a DUI crash. Both cases highlight a disturbing pattern of those tasked with upholding the law believing themselves above it. For San Francisco residents already contending with rampant crime, homelessness, and public drug use enabled by progressive policies, these incidents further erode confidence that public safety officials are working in their best interests rather than abusing the power of their positions.
