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.

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.

Read the full story at County Executive’s Office, San Mateo County

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

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.

Read the full story at The Mercury News

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.

Read the full story at The San Mateo Daily Journal

Corpus removal hearing begins

On the first day of the hearing, attorneys for each side made opening statements laying out their arguments. The prosecution said they will call witnesses to prove that the sheriff retaliated against subordinates, neglected her duties, had conflicts of interest and violated the police officer bill of rights, a state code protecting law enforcement personnel.

Read the full story at Coastside News