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Oversight balances power with responsibility.

Oversight helps public safety by balancing the enormous power of the Sheriff’s Office with accountability to the community. Fixin’ San Mateo County is a local grassroots organization working to enact effective, independent civilian oversight of the County Sheriff’s Office. Join us in supporting safety for everyone.

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Events

The Cast Against TASERs

A presentation by Richard Konda, Sean Allen, Raymond Goins, Aram James, and Susan Hayase of the Coalition for Justice and Accountability about their advocacy in Santa Clara County to reduce and eliminate the use of TASERs.

This event will also feature a special presentation by Ekene Okobi, whose brother Chinedu Okobi was killed by Sheriff’s Office employees using TASERs on October 5, 2018. Chinedu’s death at the hands of law enforcement was a catalyst for the creation of Fixin’ San Mateo County.

Tuesday, October 7 at 7pm
on Zoom

RSVP here

See our full calendar here

News

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Sign up for important email updates and invitations to events. Ready to get more involved? Email us at info@fixinsmc.org and let us know you want to take an active role in ensuring fair law enforcement for all members of the community.

We will not give, sell, or rent your information to anyone else. We will only use it to contact you about Fixin’ SMC and Sheriff’s Office oversight.

Developments in our Sheriff’s Office

In September 2024, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors announced that they had commissioned retired Judge LaDoris Cordell to investigate complaints within the Sheriff’s Office. On November 12, they released the Cordell report findings. They authorized a special election for an amendment to the county charter  to allow the Board to remove the sheriff for cause with a 4/5 vote, that power to expire in November 2028.

On March 4, 2025, the special election saw the charter amendment, Measure A, pass with 84% of the vote.  On April 22, the election was certified and on May 8 the Board adopted procedures for the removal of the Sheriff. 

On June 5, the Board voted on a Notice of Internet to remove the Sheriff. The Sheriff appealed and her appeal was heard by Probation Chief John Keene, who concurred with the findings in the Notice of Intent.  On June 24, the Board voted 5-0 again to remove the Sheriff, who again appealed. The appeal was heard before hearing officer retired Judge James Emerson August 18-29. He has 45 days to write a non-binding recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.

See a chronology of events here , including some information not found on the county website.

See the latest updates from the Board of Supervisors.

Statements from Fixin’ SMC

San Mateo County Sheriff adds to chorus of support for inspector general

Coalition for a Safer San Mateo County (CSSMC) Statement on Sheriff Accountability

Incarcerated people deserve family visitation

Accusations Against Sheriff Corpus Underscores Urgent Need for Real Oversight

Fixin’ San Mateo County Calls for Public Release of Notice of Intent to Remove Sheriff

Fixin’ San Mateo County Calls for Immediate Action Following Apparent Passage of Measure A

See more Fixin’ SMC Statements

News about Oversight & Sheriff’s Offices

From brothels and Batmobiles to removal hearings, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office has a long line of scandals

Let compassion shine: Restore religious freedom in San Mateo County jails

Corpus removal hearing begins

Sheriff Corpus removal hearings begin Monday in San Mateo County

Inspector general recommended for the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office

Corpus says removal hearing should be public: ‘Let the public see the facts’

See all news

Ways to Help
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When you buy something at our shop, approximately 17% of your purchase price goes to Fixin’ SMC to support our work. The rest goes to fulfillment service RedBubble.

What are people saying about oversight?

“The people of San Mateo County deserve the best law enforcement. The efforts of Fixin’ San Mateo County to establish a Civilian Oversight Commission and Inspector General with subpoena power for the Sheriff’s Office will ensure transparency and accountability for citizens. I support the initiative and look forward to its implementation.”

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo

“As a retired police officer, I support oversight of the Sheriff’s Office. It can improve the relationship between the community and agency, and address public concern about high profile incidents and discipline matters. Oversight will increase understanding of law enforcement policies and procedures, and identify areas of concern and offer options to improve policing.”

C.R., Redwood City

In Depth

Data and details about civilian oversight and about Fixin’ SMC.

2024 Impact Report

Our 2024 Impact Report is now available.

White Paper

Our report to the Board of Supervisors on oversight requirements and local comparisons.

Data-Driven Outcomes from Law Enforcement Oversight

Case studies of successful oversight outcomes.

Fixin' Chair Jim Lawrence and guest speaker Rev Brian Ferguson look over the crowd at our official launch event
Fixin' Outreach team lead Trena Patton points to a wall of post its at an early planning meeting
Early member of Fixin' SMC meet to plan our strategy
Supervisor-elect Noelia Corzo addresses Fixin' supporters at our 2022 holiday party
Three Fixin' SMC volunteers pose with State Senator Josh Becker
Rev. Ben Meyers, Chelsea Bonini, Rick Bonilla, Jim Lawrence, Josh Becker, Nancy Goodban, Paul Bocanegra, and David Vallerga
Early member of Fixin' pose outside the UU Fellowship of Redwood City
December 2021
Approximately 35 members and supporters of Fixin' SMC at the 2022 summer picnic
August 2022

What else are people saying about oversight?

“My family knows law enforcement. In my immediate family we have a former Menlo Park PD lieutenant, a retired Redding Sheriff, a CHP officer and a police officer in South Carolina. So I know the importance of transparency and accountability between law enforcement and the community. And I believe that civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Office will support a positive relationship between law enforcement and the community it serves.”

B.K., North Fair Oaks

“I actually think, in public life, we often miss one of the most important functions that we can engage in, and that is oversight. What you’re doing is just fundamentally good, grassroots political action. I applaud you and wish you great success as you move forward.”

Congresswoman Jackie Speier