At the same time, the Board voted to identify a panel of potential investigators to be called on if needed, but no permanent Inspector General. The panel was called upon in summer 2024 to investigate human resources complaints by Sheriff’s Office employees. The investigation demonstrated the value of having an independent Inspector General conduct thorough investigations and issue recommendations. However, this process cannot be ad hoc—it must be ongoing and institutionalized to ensure accountability for all sheriffs, now and in the future. A permanent Inspector General is essential to achieving systemic change.
On December 12 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved this resolution creating the Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office (ICAC), a historic first step towards oversight. However, ICAC was not given specific duties or authority which is needed for true oversight. ICAC meets in public on the first Wednesday of each month; find out more at SMCgov.org/ICAC.
Thank you to all applicants!
ICAC has been meeting since July 2024. Fixin’ SMC and Coalition for a Safer SMC members attend and make public comment at every ICAC meeting. We have asked for (1) a confidential complaint channel outside of the Sheriff’s Office (2) a regular, ongoing Inspector General (3) restoration of mail for incarcerated people, and (4) looking at how to prevent further deaths in the jail. ICAC has listened and responded to these public comments. Thank you to all Commissioners for volunteering for this critical civic duty.
Learn more
About the Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office
from the San Mateo County County Executive’s Office
About the Commission
The San Mateo County Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office (ICAC) is tasked with advising the Board of Supervisors in its effort to facilitate public transparency, accountability, and public engagement with respect to the Sheriff’s Office. It provides a public forum for input from the community regarding the Sheriff’s Office, develops and implements an annual work plan, and makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
The Commission includes seven voting members and two alternates, of which five members were nominated by each Supervisor and reside in their respective districts; one member was nominated by the Sheriff, and the remaining one member and two alternates are at-large and nominated by the two Board liaisons. Selected non-voting members of the Sheriff’s CARE program and one non-voting member of the Youth Commission serve as liaisons. At ICAC’s request, a liaison from the Sheriff’s Office attends its meetings.
More about the Commission (County website)