A formal complaint was filed by Sheriff Christina Corpus’ attorneys against the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and Chief Elections Officer Mark Church for allegedly violating the state’s election code with the slated charter amendment vote in March, another effort to discredit the election by the embattled sheriff.
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.
Statement from the County of San Mateo Regarding Sheriff’s $10 Million Government Claim & Release of Full Report Transcript
The following is a statement from the County of San Mateo in response to a $10 million government claim filed by Sheriff Christina Corpus. The statement also addresses an allegation in the claim regarding allegedly missing transcript pages in an exhibit to the independent report and the cost of the investigation.
Sheriff Corpus alleges discrimination, seeks $10M from county
Sheriff Christina Corpus has filed a $10 million claim against San Mateo County, alleging “racism, harassment, discrimination and retaliation” during the county’s investigation into her administration.
Fixin’ San Mateo County Statement on Ballot Measure A
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:
- A permanent Inspector General is essential to achieving systemic change.
- A stronger role for the Independent Citizens’ Advisory Committee (ICAC) is needed to provide more meaningful civilian engagement.
- 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.
DA throws out charges against deputy’s union president
San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe announced this morning he is throwing out the timecard fraud case against deputy’s union president Carlos Tapia, who was arrested on the orders of Sheriff Christina Corpus. Wagstaffe said: “We have concluded based on the follow-up investigation that no crime was committed by Deputy Carlos Tapia, that the complete investigation showed that there was no basis to believe any violation of law had occurred, and finally that Deputy Tapia should not have been arrested.”
California Sheriffs Are Rarely Removed From Office. San Mateo Is Trying Anyway
San Mateo County supervisors are attempting a historic feat in the state: removing an elected sheriff via charter amendment and a simultaneous recall vote.
County supervisors are asking voters in March to give them the temporary authority to remove Sheriff Christina Corpus two years into her first term after “unprecedented complaints.” An independent investigation found the hallmarks of her administration weren’t the transparency and accountability she promised voters, but rather “lies, secrecy, intimidation, retaliation, conflicts of interest, and abuses of authority.”
San Mateo County needs AB 1185 for transparent and accountable governance
This guest column by Fixin’ SMC Chair Jim Lawrence urges the Board of Supervisors to fully implement the provisions of AB 1185.
Updates following the Cordell Report
On November 13 the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to ask Sheriff Corpus to resign.
On November 18, Representatives Eshoo and Mullin, Senator Becker, and Assemblymembers Papan and Berman called for her resignation: Congressional and state leaders call on Sheriff Corpus to resign
On November 21, the five remaining Captains who had not resigned or been fired called on Sheriff Corpus to resign: San Mateo County sheriff’s captains call for embattled Sheriff Corpus to step down
On November 25, 66 of the 77 sergeants and lieutenants voted for her resignation; the remaining 11 employees did not vote: Sergeants, lieutenants call for San Mateo County sheriff’s resignation
On November 25, the San Carlos City Council voted unanimously to ask the Sheriff to resign.
On Dec 3, the Board adopted a resolution for a special election March 4, 2025 on a charter amendment that would allow the Board of Supervisors to remove the Sheriff for misconduct.
The Ballot Measure arguments for Measure A, the charter amendment about the Sheriff, are now published. See the arguments for and against this measure.
Press Statement on Inspector General for Sexual Assault at the San Mateo County Jail
Redwood City, CA – Jim Lawrence, Chair of Fixin’ San Mateo County, issued the following statement today in response to Supervisor Noelia Corzo’s announcement that a sexual assault had taken place in the jail and her request for a temporary Inspector General to be brought in to investigate:
“I am deeply disturbed at the allegation of a sexual assault in the San Mateo County Jail, and fully support Supervisor Corzo’s call to bring in an Inspector General to look into what went wrong.” He further adds, “Fixin’ San Mateo County has been advocating for a permanent Inspector General since 2021, and we continue to call on the Board of Supervisors to create the role.”
Fixin’ San Mateo County has long advocated for the appointment of a permanent Inspector General, and we urge the Board to take this vital step. A dedicated Inspector General would provide a steady, transparent avenue for addressing concerns, empowering deputies to report issues and fostering a culture of integrity and accountability.
We also call on the Board to task the County’s Independent Citizen Advisory Committee (ICAC) with reviewing the Inspector General’s findings and advising on essential steps forward. Their insights are critical to achieving meaningful reform.
San Mateo County Sheriff Corpus vowed to end corruption. Now she finds herself at the center of scandal
Earlier this month, the county released an explosive 400-page independent investigator’s report that found Corpus had an inappropriate relationship with her former chief of staff, retaliated against officers and employees, and used racist and homophobic slurs in the workplace, among other serious allegations against her and department leadership, including improperly possessing rifles with silencers and engaging in questionable real estate dealings.