To ensure lasting change, [Supervisor] Speier said she is “more and more convinced” the county needs a full-time, independent civilian inspector general — a reform long advocated by citizen groups amid the sheriff’s office’s history of scandal.
In the news
This page contains news article for those interested in all facets of law enforcement oversight and reform. These articles span all states and cover police departments as well as Sheriff's departments. We're providing this information for those who wish to better understand why oversight is needed, the challenges it faces, and where and how it has improved the communities that have adopted it. News articles from external sources will open in a new tab.
It is time for a permanent inspector general
San Mateo County, CA , October 14, 2025 — Given the Board of Supervisors vote today to remove Sheriff Corpus from her position, Fixin’ SMC calls on the Board to hire an expert in sheriff oversight, also known as an inspector general, on a permanent basis to provide sheriff accountability and transparency.
When the Board had the chance to appoint an inspector general and an oversight board in 2023, it instead established the Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office (ICAC). ICAC has advised the Board to hire an inspector general to provide independent review of policies and practices, looking at incidents and responding to complaints from deputies, civilian staff, and the community.
Fixin’ Board Chair Jim Lawrence said, “The Board can’t do it all—and it shouldn’t have to. We need a truly independent body to investigate concerns raised by the community and deputies. The Board has already turned to outside investigators before and now it’s time to make that independence permanent.”
Choosing our next sheriff shouldn’t happen behind closed doors. Fixin’ San Mateo County urges the Board to engage the community in this process. The people, and the deputies who serve them, deserve leadership rooted in integrity, transparency, and accountability.
ICAC supports both these positions, as does the Coalition for a Safer San Mateo County (CSSMC), which includes 26 organizations including the ACLU of Northern California, Faith in Action Bay Area, the NAACP San Mateo County Chapter, the San Mateo County Democratic Party, and many more. CCSMC has also stated the need for a sheriff who is genuinely committed to accountability to the people of San Mateo County, including a willingness to work with an inspector general.
Fixin’ San Mateo County does not take a position on individual sheriffs or candidates for sheriff, because the need for transparency and accountability is universal and constant. Checks and balances are simply a matter of good governance. Independent civilian review with the support of our elected officials is a baseline requirement for any county that values fairness, civil rights, and strong relationships between law enforcement and the broader community.
Media Contact
Jim Lawrence
Fixin’ San Mateo County
408-590-0429
jtlawrence94404@yahoo.com
Independent Hearing Officer Finds Cause to Remove Sheriff Christina Corpus
An advisory opinion issued today by retired Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge James Emerson finds multiple causes to remove Sheriff Christina Corpus from Office under the County Charter of San Mateo County.
In his opinion, Emerson concluded that Corpus used her office to benefit Victor Aenlle with whom she has a close personal relationship outside the boundaries of a professional working relationship, directed the arrest of the deputy sheriffs’ union president without probable cause and retaliated against a captain who refused to take part in what he believed to be an unlawful personnel action.
Civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Office is needed more than ever
October 6, 2025
San Mateo County, CA — Given the recommendation of retired Judge Emerson that the Board of Supervisors remove Sheriff Corpus from her position, Fixin’ San Mateo County wishes to remind the Board that:
- The Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office (ICAC), which the Board of Supervisors created specifically to make recommendations regarding the Sheriff’s Office, has urged them to hire a permanent Inspector General.
- The Coalition for a Safer San Mateo County (CSSMC), represented by signatures from 26 diverse community organizations, has made clear the need for a sheriff who is genuinely committed to accountability to the people of San Mateo County, including a willingness to work with an Inspector General.
- The CSSMC, which includes the ACLU of Northern California, Faith in Action Bay Area, the NAACP San Mateo County Chapter, the San Mateo County Democratic Party, and many more groups, has called for community engagement in the selection of the next sheriff.
Fixin’ San Mateo County does not take a position on individual sheriffs or candidates for sheriff, because the need for transparency and accountability is universal and constant. Checks and balances are simply a matter of good governance. Independent civilian review with the support of our elected officials is a baseline requirement for any county that values fairness, civil rights, and strong relationships between law enforcement and the broader community.
Media Contact
Jim Lawrence
Fixin’ San Mateo County
408-590-0429
jtlawrence94404@yahoo.com
Another death at county jail
A 31-year-old woman in custody at the Maple Street Correctional Center died Monday morning, the Sheriff’s Office said, marking the seventh death within three years.
Working to Enact Independent Civilian Oversight of the Sheriff, Fixin’ San Mateo County Welcomes Coastside Resident R.J. Jennings to the Board of Directors
We are delighted to announce that the Fixin’ SMC Board of Directors has voted to add RJ Jennings as a member!
From brothels and Batmobiles to removal hearings, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office has a long line of scandals
On the final day of her removal hearings last month, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus did something unexpected: She reversed her opposition to an independent inspector general that would look into misconduct within her office, which she acknowledged is filled with personnel who don’t respect her leadership.
San Mateo County Sheriff adds to chorus of support for inspector general
PRESS STATEMENT FROM FIXIN’ SAN MATEO COUNTY
San Mateo County, CA — Today, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus testified, “I support having an inspector general over the Sheriff’s Office.”
On August 12, the Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office (ICAC) recommended to the Board of Supervisors that they establish a permanent inspector general with subpoena power. At the same meeting, Fixin’ SMC and the Coalition for a Safer San Mateo County submitted a statement asking for a permanent inspector general, signed by 26 community groups, faith-based organizations, and political clubs.
Fixin’ San Mateo County Board chair Jim Lawrence says, “We very much appreciate the support of Sheriff Corpus for an inspector general. We hope that the board of supervisors expeditiously votes to create this important function, which can serve as a safety net and proactively address problems before they reach a crisis point.” An inspector general can save taxpayer dollars by preventing problems and reducing lawsuit costs and payouts.
We urge the Board to approve the appointment of a permanent inspector general. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office needs to restore morale, rebuild public trust, and refocus on its essential mission: to protect and serve the residents of San Mateo County with honor, fairness, and integrity. An inspector general will provide an important forum to hear concerns from Sheriff’s Office staff as well as from the community.
Fixin’ San Mateo County remains committed to advocating for independent civilian oversight, including a permanent inspector general, for accountability, ethical leadership, and justice for all.
Media Contact:
Jim Lawrence
Fixin’ San Mateo County
408-590-0429, jtlawrence94404@yahoo.com
Coalition for a Safer San Mateo County (CSSMC) Statement on Sheriff Accountability
The Coalition for a Safer San Mateo County (CSSMC) urges the Board of Supervisors to support the following priorities for a sheriff. We also support the Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office (ICAC)’s call for a permanent Inspector General with subpoena power and for community engagement if the Board chooses to appoint an interim Sheriff.
Public safety is for everybody. The Sheriff’s Office cannot provide safety without trust in law enforcement and accountability to the community. Therefore, the Coalition believes any sheriff should commit to the following:
- A respectful work environment and good community relations.
- Accountability to the people of San Mateo County, not to the federal government.
- Honoring the county’s existing commitment to keeping families together; do not cooperate with ICE unless required to by law, regulation, court decision, or judicial warrant.
- Genuine willingness to collaborate with ICAC and the Inspector General (IG) when one is appointed, as a positive element of their relationship with the people of San Mateo County.
- Develop information sharing agreements with ICAC and the IG.
- Cooperate on fiscal checks and balances.
- Commit to joint problem solving.
- Eliminating unnecessary use of force.
- Eliminate the use of TASERs.
- Expand and support de-escalation training and strategies.
- Support unarmed crisis response and its integration into the 911 system.
- Do not use force against peaceful civilian protesters.
- Improving jail conditions.
- Prevent deaths in the jail.
- Work with the county to eliminate use of jail as a mental hospital and substance abuse treatment facility.
- Help the county identify secure diversion options in the community for people in crisis.
- Restore physical mail to incarcerated people.
- Provide meaningful access to religious services in the jail.
- Promote voter registration, education, and voting in the jail.
Signed by:
- ACLU of Northern California
- ACLU San Mateo County Chapter
- Belmont Neighbors Against Racism
- Center for Common Ground Peninsula-South Bay Chapter
- Faith in Action Bay Area
- Fixin’ San Mateo County
- In Our Care San Mateo County
- La Honda Indivisible
- NAACP San Mateo County
- Peninsula Democratic Coalition
- Peninsula Solidarity Cohort
- Puente de la Costa Sur
- Raging Grannies of the Peninsula
- Redwood City for Racial Equity
- SF Peninsula People Power
- SMC AAPI Alliance
- San Mateo County Democratic Party
- SMC Dems Farmworker Affairs Committee
- San Mateo County Coalition for Immigrant Rights
- San Mateo County Democracy for America
- San Mateo County Stonewall Democrats
- Sisters of Mercy Solidarity Committee
- Unlocked Futures
- UU Church of Palo Alto Action Council
- UU Fellowship of Redwood City Social Action Committee
- Woodside Road United Methodist Church
Let compassion shine: Restore religious freedom in San Mateo County jails
An opinion piece by The Rev. Lauren P. McCombs
The United States was founded on the principle of religious freedom for everyone. Alarmingly, the San Mateo County jail system has made it difficult for incarcerated individuals to practice their faith… Over the past several years, religious access — once a lifeline of hope and healing for those behind bars — has been reduced from what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. Our jail system is now restricting religious services.