San Mateo County, CA — The recent accusation against Sheriff Christina Corpus by the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury is not just a singular crisis — it is a symptom of a much deeper problem: the continued failure of our county leadership to implement meaningful, independent civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Office.
For three years, Fixin’ San Mateo County has urged the Board of Supervisors to establish a Civilian Oversight Commission and appoint an independent Inspector General. The tools have been available since 2020, when the California Legislature passed AB 1185 to empower counties with the authority to oversee their sheriffs. But instead of embracing this opportunity to strengthen public trust and accountability, the Board chose inaction.
While the creation of the Independent Civilian Advisory Committee (ICAC) was a step in the right direction, it was ultimately powerless — lacking the authority, resources, or mandate to investigate misconduct or issue findings. Now, reports allege that Sheriff Corpus interfered in internal investigations involving deputy misconduct, leaving the department in turmoil and public trust badly shaken.
“This is not about one person — it’s about an entire system that has resisted transparency for too long,” said Jim Lawrence, Board Chair of Fixin’ San Mateo County. “We need to act now to rebuild trust and ensure no future sheriff, regardless of who they are, can operate without independent accountability. Oversight protects the public and supports the good officers who serve with integrity every day.”
Fixin’ San Mateo County is calling on the Board of Supervisors to:
- Immediately strengthen the ICAC by granting it full investigatory powers, a clear mandate, and the resources to operate effectively.
- Appoint an independent Inspector General with subpoena authority who reports to the public through a truly independent structure — not to the Sheriff.
- Establish a transparent reform timeline with regular public updates and opportunities for community input.
Counties like Los Angeles and Sonoma have implemented strong oversight models that work — models that improve morale, reward integrity, and build trust between departments and the communities they serve. San Mateo County can do the same.
Media Contact
Jim Lawrence
Fixin’ San Mateo County
408-590-0429
jtlawrence94404@yahoo.com
www.fixinsmc.org