SFPD Chief Bill Scott announces the arrest of two police officers and one former police officer

Internal Affairs Division of the San Francisco Police Department conducted investigations into two separate incidents that led to today’s arrests

SAN FRANCISCO (April 19, 2022) — The San Francisco Police Department today announced the arrest of two current police officers and one civilian retired sworn member in two separate and unrelated incidents. The retired member was working for SFPD in a part-time capacity under the City’s Prop F program, which enables retired city employees to work a limited number of hours to help meet staffing shortages. Williams Case On August 9, 2021, personnel from SFPD’s Property Division were conducting a routine inventory when they discovered a missing firearm. On August 12, SFPD’s Internal Affairs Division was notified of the missing firearm. SFPD investigators immediately launched an investigation, which ultimately established that retired San Francisco Police Officer Mark Williams was in possession of the missing firearm. Retired Officer Williams was immediately terminated from his part-time position with the police department. On Friday April 15, 2022, a San Francisco Superior Court judge signed and issued an arrest warrant for Williams. On Tuesday, April 19, Williams voluntarily surrendered himself at San Francisco County Jail where he was booked on charges of unlawful possession of a machine gun (32625(a) PC), possession of a silencer (33410 PC), and embezzlement (503 PC).

Lyons and Sien Case On July 3, 2021, investigators from the SFPD Internal Affairs Division were notified of an incident involving the destruction of evidence the prior evening on the 700 block of Mission Street. SFPD investigators launched an investigation, which established that Officer Kevin Lyons and Officer Kevin Sien were responsible for the destruction of evidence. At the time of the incident, both officers were assigned to Tenderloin Police Station. Lyons, a 21-year veteran of SFPD, and Sien, a five-year veteran of SFPD, were immediately transferred to assignments with non-public contact. On Friday, April 15, 2022, a San Francisco Superior Court judge signed and issued arrest warrants for Lyons and Sien. On Tuesday, April 19, Lyons and Sien voluntarily surrendered themselves at San Francisco County Jail. Lyons was cited and released on two charges of destroying or concealing evidence (135 PC). Sien was cited and released on one charge of destroying or concealing evidence (135 PC).

“The actions of these SFPD members violate the law and regrettably fall far short of our department’s shared values,” said San Francisco Police Chief William Scott. “As sworn police officers, we have no higher obligation than to earn and maintain public trust, and we are disappointed that these incidents detract from the outstanding work done by our officers and non-sworn members every day. At the same time, we are grateful to our Internal Affairs Division and its members for the thorough investigations they conducted and the cases they presented to the special prosecution division of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. Their diligence affirms our department’s commitment to accountability and the principle that no one — including a current or retired police officer — is above the law.”