Fixin’ San Mateo County is a local grassroots organization working to enact effective, independent civilian oversight of the County Sheriff’s Office.
On December 12 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved this resolution creating a Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office, but no permanent Inspector General. Learn about the Commission here.
The County received almost 80 applications to serve on this Commission. The Board of Supervisors expects to vote on member selections in May and the first Commission meeting will be held in July.
This Commission marks a start to oversight, but it lacks authority—it can ask questions, but has no power to require answers. The commission can be a good start, but we need strong advocates for transparency, accountability, and fairness to serve on this Commission in order to make headway toward justice for all in our county.
How can oversight help our community, and what does it need to work? There are five essential characteristic of effective oversight:
- Independent; it must not be run or overseen by the Sheriff’s Office.
- Empowered; it must have true investigative power, including the ability to issue subpoenas.
- Supported; it must have adequate funding.
- Responsive; it must be able to take complaints and input directly from members of the public.
- Representative; it must reflect the diversity of the community.
Meet Judge LaDoris Cordell at our next webinar
LaDoris Cordell has been a Superior Court Judge, the Independent Police Auditor for San Jose from 2010 to 2015, and served on San Francisco’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Transparency, Accountability, and Fairness in Law Enforcement in 2015. She is the recipient of too many awards to list. Don’t miss this chance to hear from one of California’s premier jurists.
Tuesday May 7, 7:00-8:00pm
on Zoom
Ways to Help
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.
News
Developments about San Mateo County’s progress toward independent oversight, and other oversight-related news.
More news
Sheriff Oversight Committee debuts in San Mateo County, falls short of activists’ expectations
The County’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the formation of a civilian advisory commission last week… Fixin’ San Mateo County’s executive director said the resolution lacks two critical factors: a full-time inspector general and the ability to ask questions and obtain answers.
Why Every County Needs Civilian Oversight of its Local Sheriff’s Department
Sheriffs hold massive power in California counties over jails, law enforcement, emergency services, court-ordered evictions, and more. They are elected officials who must be accountable to the public that they serve.
California counties team up to push for sheriff’s oversight
The newly formed “California Coalition for Sheriff’s Oversight” brings together counties actively working on or that already have oversight systems. A notable voice in this movement is Fixin’ San Mateo County (FxSMC), a local entity advocating for civilian oversight to introduce a balanced approach to county law enforcement.
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.
2023 Year End Report
Our 2023 Year End 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.
Explore more topics
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
