San Francisco’s top law enforcement official smashed a city-issued vehicle into a parked Tesla, fled the scene, and then falsely reported himself as the victim of a hit-and-run to cover his tracks.
Key Takeaways
- Richard Jue, Chief of Staff for the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, was arrested for a hit-and-run involving a city-issued vehicle and filing a false police report.
- Jue crashed into a parked Tesla on March 4, causing “serious damages to both vehicles” with the Tesla being totaled, then fled the scene without leaving contact information.
- After waiting two weeks, Jue initially filed a false report claiming he was the victim of a hit-and-run before admitting the truth the following day.
- Despite being in a civilian position, Jue wore a uniform, badge, and gun, and was given a city vehicle due to his “Peace Officer Status,” which caused resentment among some department members.
- Jue has been placed on administrative leave pending both criminal and administrative investigations.
Law Enforcement Leader Attempts Cover-Up After Crash
Richard Jue, Chief of Staff for the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, faces serious legal consequences after allegedly crashing a government vehicle into a parked Tesla and attempting to conceal his responsibility. The incident occurred on March 4 along Diamond Heights Boulevard when Jue, while off-duty, collided with the parked vehicle. Instead of stopping to exchange information or report the accident as required by law, Jue fled the scene despite significant damage to both vehicles.
“Causing serious damages to both vehicles,” stated District Attorney Brooke Jenkins’ office. The Tesla was reportedly totaled in the collision. Even more troubling than the hit-and-run itself was Jue’s subsequent attempt to mislead investigators about what happened.
False Reporting and Delayed Admission
After waiting a full two weeks to report the incident, Jue initially filed a fraudulent police report claiming victimhood rather than responsibility. “When he reported it, he claimed that he had been the victim of an unknown hit-and-run in a parking lot,” the prosecutor’s office said. This deliberate misrepresentation by a high-ranking law enforcement official raises serious questions about accountability within San Francisco’s Sheriff’s Department.
“Jue allegedly waited weeks to even report the crash, and when he did, he lied, authorities said. Prosecutors said Jue waited two weeks to file a report and, when he did, falsely claimed he was the victim of an unknown hit-and-run in a parking lot,” said authorities.
It wasn’t until a day after filing the false report that Jue finally came clean. “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.” By this point, nearly two weeks had passed since the incident, making investigation and evidence collection significantly more difficult.
Special Privileges and Department Response
Perhaps most troubling about this case are the special privileges Jue enjoyed within the department. Despite holding what should be a civilian administrative position, Jue was permitted to wear a uniform, badge, and gun. He was also issued a government vehicle due to his “Peace Officer Status” and position as “a direct report to the Sheriff.” These privileges generated resentment among other department members who questioned their appropriateness.
“The sheriff’s office holds all members — regardless of rank or role — to the highest ethical and professional standards,” Sheriff Paul Miyamoto said following Jue’s arrest.
Jue has since been placed on administrative leave and was booked on misdemeanor charges before being released on a $7,500 bond. With three decades of prior service in the San Francisco Police Department and as a former president of the San Francisco Asian Peace Officers Association, his fall from grace represents a significant blow to law enforcement credibility in a city already struggling with public safety perceptions.
This incident follows another recent embarrassment for San Francisco law enforcement when a rookie SFPD officer was arrested for a DUI crash, highlighting ongoing ethical challenges within the city’s public safety departments. With Jue scheduled for arraignment in San Francisco Superior Court, the case serves as yet another example of the double standards often applied to those in positions of authority in liberal-run cities.
