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Fixin’ San Mateo County is a local grassroots organization working to enact effective, independent civilian oversight of the County Sheriff’s Office.

Civilian Commission applications are now closed

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.

About Oversight

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.

Join our Spring Party in South San Francisco!

Food, drinks, and a chance to catch up with all your Fixin’ friends. Celebrate our progress so far and hear what’s next. Don’t miss it!

Sunday March 24, 4-6pm
901 Civic Campus Way, South San Francisco

And don’t miss these coming events!

April 2, 6pm: Eric Umansky from ProPublica

Eric’s reporting on police accountability has won the John Jay College/Harry Frank Guggenheim Award for Excellence in Criminal Justice Reporting and the Al Nakkula Award for Police Reporting, and was credited by a NYC City Council member for spurring police reforms there. Sign up now to hear from Eric a special time, starting at 6:00 pm.

May 7, 7pm: Judge LaDoris Cordell

LaDoris Cordell was 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— RSVP today!

News

Developments about San Mateo County’s progress toward independent oversight, and other oversight-related news.
More news

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. 

Read the full story at the ACLU NorCal website

Sheriff’s oversight is coming to Alameda County

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors took a step that many police accountability advocates have for years clamored for: civilian oversight of the sheriff’s department. The Board voted to create a seven-member Oversight Board and an Office of the Inspector General on Tuesday.

Read the full story at East Bay Insiders Newsletter

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.

Read the full article at the RWC Pulse

Ways to Help

Sign up and be part of real change in San Mateo County

A small monthly donation will help keep our work going

Spread the word when you wear or carry Fixin’ SMC gear

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.

Year End Report

See our 2022 year-end report for our accomplishments from last year.

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