FxSMC in the News

The establishment of civilian oversight over the San Mateo County County Sheriff’s Office seems increasingly likely after receiving strong support from the Board of Supervisors this week. The board voted unanimously on Tuesday to create an ad hoc committee that will research and report on potential civilian oversight. Supervisors Dave Pine and Warren Slocum were appointed to the committee.

San Mateo County supervisors expressed their support for establishing a civilian oversight board charged with monitoring the Sheriff’s Office and formed an ad hoc committee to look into the issue. Both board President Don Horsley, a former county sheriff, and Supervisor Carole Groom said they were initially against an oversight board but community input swayed…

Members of the local grassroots organization, Fixin’ San Mateo County, gave a presentation to the [North Fair Oaks Community Council] during Thursday’s meeting and asked them to send a letter of support for the group to the Board of Supervisors. The council voted unanimously to pass a resolution to send the letter endorsing Fixin’ SMC, which would ask…

There was a consistent theme to the public comments at the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors meeting on the morning of May 24. It all revolved around the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office and a growing effort to enact civilian oversight over the institution.

This local grassroots organization wants to install an inspector general to ensure transparency and accountability. During the board meeting, members of the public spoke emphatically about the need for greater transparency, accountability and public trust in local law enforcement.

We should all welcome a healthy system of checks and balances that holds power accountable. The Sheriff’s Office’s lack of oversight is problematic and unjust, and frankly, is just bad governing. Luckily, there is a group called Fixin’ San Mateo founded as a direct result of a lack of accountability after egregious actions from the…