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.

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.”

Read the full story at KQED

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.

Read the full story at San Jose Mercury News

Press Statement on the Cordell Report on the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office

Redwood City, CA – Jim Lawrence, Chair of Fixin’ San Mateo County, issued the following statement today in response to Judge LaDoris Cordell’s recent report on the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office:

“I am profoundly alarmed by the findings in Judge LaDoris Cordell’s report, which expose serious issues within the Sheriff’s Office. This report underscores the urgent need for independent oversight to safeguard public trust and ensure accountability within our law enforcement. Judge Cordell’s findings highlight the critical role an Inspector General would play in San Mateo County. If we are to regain confidence in the Sheriff’s Office, we  must establish robust oversight mechanisms now.”

Fixin’ San Mateo County fully supports the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors’ findings and recommendations following this report, including the call for the Sheriff to resign. As community members, we are deeply concerned by the documented actions of Sheriff Christina Corpus and her Chief of Staff, Victor Aenlle, which undermine public confidence.

We have 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 Independent Citizen Advisory Committee (ICAC) with reviewing Judge Cordell’s findings and advising on essential steps forward. Their insights are critical to achieving meaningful reform.

Fixin’ San Mateo County, alongside the Coalition for a Safer San Mateo County, extends sincere gratitude to Judge LaDoris Cordell for her exhaustive investigation and to the Board of Supervisors for their prompt, transparent response in releasing this report. We stand ready to support all efforts that prioritize justice and safety for every member of our community.

Unions address vote of no confidence against sheriff’s chief of staff

Fixin’ San Mateo County, a community organization dedicated to independent civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Office, released a statement Wednesday applauding the board’s decision to investigate the dispute between the Sheriff’s Office and the unions. It also called for the installation of a permanent inspector general to provide oversight and ensure law enforcement accountability. 

Read the full story at RWC Pulse

Fixin’ SMC Applauds Supervisors’ Decision to Investigate the Sheriff’s Office, Calls for Permanent Inspector General

San Mateo County, CA – Fixin’ San Mateo County (SMC) expresses its support for the recent decision by the Board of Supervisors to hire an Inspector General to investigate the ongoing dispute between the Sheriff’s deputies and the Sheriff’s Office administration. We believe that this action is a necessary step towards resolving the matter transparently, swiftly and fairly. However, this is only a patch on an issue that requires a long-term solution.

While we commend the Supervisors for taking action, we maintain that a more comprehensive solution is required to address issues of this nature. Fixin’ SMC’s proposed independent civilian oversight board and Inspector General would provide the permanent, transparent, and impartial oversight needed to effectively address conflicts and ensure accountability within law enforcement. With a permanent Inspector General established as Fixin’ SMC recommends, it will be the ideal mechanism to handle this situation and others like it, safeguarding public trust and enhancing the credibility of law enforcement operations.  A permanent Inspector General would be able to look more deeply and in context, providing proactive advice rather than merely reacting to crises.

“As advocates for a more accountable and transparent law enforcement system in San Mateo County, we recognize the value of swift investigations, but it is crucial to have lasting structures in place that prevent these conflicts from arising in the first place,” said Jim Lawrence, Fixin’ SMC Board Chair. “The independent civilian oversight board and Inspector General would offer continuous, objective oversight, ensuring that all parties are treated fairly and that the public remains informed.”

Fixin’ SMC calls on the Board of Supervisors to establish the civilian oversight board and Inspector General as a lasting solution for promoting fairness, transparency, and accountability in law enforcement across San Mateo County.

About Fixin’ SMC

Fixin’ SMC is a community organization dedicated to independent civilian oversight of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. We strive to create a safer community and a more equitable environment for all residents through the transparency and accountability offered by civilian oversight.

County sheriffs wield lethal power, face little accountability: “A failure of democracy”

County sheriff’s officers are three times more lethal than city police, a CBS News investigation has found… CBS News gathered and analyzed federal law enforcement data that showed while more people died overall in encounters with city police, deaths in encounters with county sheriffs occurred at a significantly higher rate. For every 100,000 people arrested, more than 27 people died in the custody of sheriffs, while that number was fewer than 10 for police officers in 2022, the most recent year of available data. 

Read the full story at CBS News