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Today, the voters of San Mateo County took a historic step toward accountability and transparency in law enforcement. With the apparent passage of Measure A, the Board of Supervisors now has the authority to remove the county sheriff—ensuring that no one is above the law. This victory marks a turning point for our community, and we commend the residents of San Mateo County for demanding meaningful reform.

“This has been a long and difficult road, but the people have spoken. Now, our elected leaders must act without delay,” said Jim Lawrence, Board Chair of Fixin’ San Mateo County. “It is time for the Board of Supervisors to establish permanent, independent civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Office—our community cannot afford further inaction.”

Fixin’ San Mateo County has led a broad coalition in pursuit of reform. Six local governments representing 60% of the county’s population endorsed our efforts, alongside more than 35 organizations advocating for stronger oversight. The county has paid out over $13 million in settlements related to misconduct in the past four years, with millions more in pending lawsuits and the costs of special elections. The status quo is unsustainable.

With Measure A’s passage, the Board of Supervisors has a mandate from the voters. They must immediately use their authority under AB 1185 to support and strengthen the Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office (ICAC) and establish an independent Inspector General’s office which should work closely with ICAC. These mechanisms are essential for restoring public trust, ensuring transparency, and preventing future crises.  

At the same time, Fixin’ San Mateo County remains steadfast in our support for the hardworking deputies who risk their lives to protect our community. True public safety requires both accountability and trust between law enforcement and the people they serve.

The time for discussion is over. The voters have made their will clear. We call on the Board of Supervisors to act now—our community’s future depends on it.

Redwood City, CA – San Mateo County has faced significant challenges in its Sheriff’s Office, from mass resignations to widespread declarations of no confidence in Sheriff Christina Corpus. Employees in the Sheriff’s Office are experiencing difficult working conditions impacting their morale, the ability to do their jobs, and putting stress on their own families. These events highlight the urgent need for robust, lasting oversight to restore public trust, ensure transparency and accountability, support fiscal integrity, and protect our community. A healthy work environment is necessary to promote healthy interactions with the community.

Fixin’ San Mateo County has consistently advocated for systemic change through independent, effective oversight. While the Board of Supervisors’ ballot measure aims to address the immediate crisis, it is crucial to recognize that systemic problems require systemic solutions.

Independent oversight is not a one-time fix. The recent Cordell investigation demonstrates the value of having an independent Inspector General (IG) 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.

Our recommendations remain clear:

1. A permanent Inspector General is essential to achieving systemic change.
2. A stronger role for the Independent Citizens’ Advisory Committee (ICAC) is needed to provide more meaningful civilian engagement.
3. A confidential channel—independent of the Sheriff’s Office—for receiving complaints, including whistleblower concerns, must be established.

Civilian involvement isn’t just about responding to crises—it’s about preventing them. The alleged behaviors uncovered in the recent investigation are unacceptable and are eroding public trust and safety, and resulting in potential lawsuits costly to the taxpayers. These issues demand urgent action, not just to address current challenges but to build lasting guardrails for future accountability.

We recognize the Board of Supervisors’ effort to address some oversight gaps with this ballot measure, but we also urge them to implement Assembly Bill 1185, which would provide even stronger civilian oversight tools.

Jim Lawrence, Chair of Fixin’ San Mateo County, stated, “The recent investigation underscores the importance of independent oversight—not as a temporary measure, but as a permanent safeguard. Oversight benefits everyone—those inside the Sheriff’s Office and the communities they serve. San Mateo County deserves a system that ensures accountability, public safety, and trust for generations to come.”

Fixin’ San Mateo County remains focused on achieving systemic change that protects vulnerable communities, ensures public safety, and strengthens public trust. This is about more than one individual or one moment—it’s about building a culture of accountability for the future.