Matt Smith/The Bay Citizen

Ross Mirkarimi declared victory in the San Francisco sheriff's race Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011

San Francisco Sherriff Ross Mirkarimi has named the person who would replace him if he were to resign or take a leave of absence.

Mirkarimi on Monday appointed Chief Deputy Ellen Brin, a 25-year veteran who served two decades in the department’s elite Emergency Services Unit, as undersheriff.

The announcement has been highly anticipated in recent weeks. Mirkarimi is facing three misdemeanor charges related to a Dec. 31 domestic dispute with his wife, Eliana Lopez, and Mayor Ed Lee has asked him to consider stepping aside until his trial ends, presumably next month. The outgoing undersheriff, Jan Dempsey, has been planning to retire and speculation has surrounded who would take Mirkarimi’s place should he leave office.

Mirkarimi has said he does not intend to step down.

The sheriff made two other appointments Monday. For the No. 3 position of assistant sheriff, Mirkarimi chose Capt. Paul Miyamoto, one of Mirkarimi’s opponents in the sheriff’s race last fall. The appointment could help soften the long-standing animosity between Mirkarimi and the city’s law enforcement community. Miyamoto received broad support from the department’s rank and file during the campaign, when the vast majority of sheriff’s deputies backed him over Mirkarimi.

The sheriff also appointed Freya Horne to the post of chief legal counsel. She had previously served as assistant legal counsel.

A press release from spokeswoman Susan Fahey said that Monday was the first time in more than 25 years that both the undersheriff and assistant sheriff positions have been filled by San Francisco Sheriff’s Department veterans.

Don Wilson, head of the San Francisco Deputy Sheriff's Association, described Mirkarimi's appointments as "good selections."

"They're all from within department. I think this is a pretty good cross section of people," Wilson said.