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12.22.2008

san francisco police chief heather fong to retire

Over the weekend, San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong, who rose through the ranks to become the city's first female chief nearly five years ago, announced her retirement from the force on the mayor's radio program. She plans to step down in April: S.F. police chief announces retirement.

It hasn't been an easy road for her, and as chief she's had to face her share of criticism. But there's no doubt that Fong's a pioneer, with 32 years of service in the force, and as the nation's first Asian Amerian woman to lead a major city's police department. Much respect.