Sheriffs in California wield enormous power. They’re in charge of law enforcement in counties and in unincorporated areas. They run the jails
and oversee emergency services. The magnitude of the sheriff’s role and power creates conditions that can lead to a lack of accountability, endangering public safety and civil liberties.
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.
Guest opinion: The absence of oversight of our San Mateo County Jail
As residents of San Mateo County, we rely on our elected officials to provide oversight and ensure accountability and transparency in our local institutions. However, recent events have highlighted a concerning gap in oversight regarding the alarming rate of inmate deaths of incarcerated people at the San Mateo County Jail – five deaths since January 2023.
It is important to say their names.
Maycarla Fernando Sulapas from South San Francisco, age 25, died on January 7, 2023.
Peter Edward McLaughlin from Pacifica, age 64, died on October 20, 2023.
Ronald Simmons from San Bruno, age 34, died on October 21, 2023.
Very little has been released about the most recent deaths on January 14 and March 15 of this year – including their name, race, city, or cause of death. One was a 23-year-old man, and the other was a 46-year-old man. One was in the detox unit, and the other was a suspected suicide.
Despite requests to those organizations vested with oversight authority, the Board of Supervisors, Superior Court of California, and County of San Mateo, no action has been taken to have a truly independent investigation of the disturbing trend of inmate deaths. This lack of response is not only disappointing but raises serious questions about the commitment of those entities to uphold their responsibilities to the public. While other issues garner immediate attention and swift action, the loss of lives within our county jail seems to be met with indifference.
We do not know why any of them were arrested, but we do know that our jail, like jails all around the country, is serving as a de facto mental health and drug facility because there are not enough treatment options in the community.
Research shows that mental health conditions are often exacerbated in jail – it is not a good setting.
And jail is not a place for detox. There are serious risks, including death, during detox. Research shows that detox should be provided in a medical setting, where staff can focus on health issues.
Is there a pattern here? Can our County develop alternatives to jail for people with mental health or substance abuse issues who are arrested for nonviolent crimes that might be directly related to these issues, as research shows is often the case?
At the same time, our jail is very understaffed, and correctional officers and deputies have expressed concern about long shifts and vacancies. The Sheriff and command staff have on occasion even had to work jail shifts due to lack of staffing. Alternatives to incarceration would help to alleviate staffing issues.
We don’t know who to ask to find out more or to help find better solutions. Other counties with oversight have an Inspector General who does an independent investigation of the incidents and looks at patterns and systemic issues.
And more concerning, we don’t see any sense of urgency about it. Everyone has a mom or family who cares what happened to them. We should do better be those we incarcerate, remembering that the majority have not been convicted of a crime and are presumed innocent by law.
In a community where transparency and accountability are paramount, the absence of formal reports and a truly independent investigation into these deaths is deeply troubling. While other issues garner immediate attention and swift action, the loss of lives within our county jail seems to be met with indifference.
Furthermore, measures must be put in place to prevent future tragedies. The safety and well-being of all individuals within our county’s correctional facilities must be a top priority.
The families of these men, as well as the residents of San Mateo County, deserve answers. We demand accountability from our elected officials and oversight bodies. It is imperative that these deaths be thoroughly independently investigated and the findings made public to ensure justice for the deceased and their families. The public deserves nothing less than full transparency and accountability from those safeguarding our community. Remember, it was recently reported by several news outlets that San Mateo County is the wealthiest county in California.
See this editorial at the RWC Pulse.
Sheriff Oversight Committee debuts in San Mateo County, falls short of activists’ expectations
Following persistent demands from the community for increased oversight of the Sheriff’s Office, the County’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the formation of a civilian advisory commission last week… Still, activist Nancy Goodban, Fixin’ San Mateo County executive director, said the resolution lacks two critical factors: a full-time inspector general and the ability to ask questions and obtain answers.
Why Every County Needs Civilian Oversight of its Local Sheriff’s Department
Sheriffs hold massive power in California counties over jails, law enforcement, emergency services, court-ordered evictions, and more. They are elected officials who must be accountable to the public that they serve.
SMC Supervisors Strike a Balance on Sheriff Oversight
Following hours of expert, staff and public input on Sheriff’s Office oversight, San Mateo County supervisors backed a model that creates a civilian advisory body, reinstates a public safety and social justice subcommittee, and contracts an inspector general on an as-needed basis.
Media Advisory: Board Of Supervisors To Discuss The Future Of Sheriff Oversight In San Mateo County
WHAT
In November 2022, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously for a model of independent civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Office that included a civilian board and an inspector general. For the first time in a year, the County will hear from the Board of Supervisors their position on oversight. The agenda is at https://sanmateocounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors will hold a public Study Session exclusively focused on Sheriff Oversight and Engagement. The Coalition for a Safer San Mateo County is on the agenda, and will be represented by Fixin’ San Mateo County Board Chair Jim Lawrence in support of independent civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Office.
Representatives of the Coalition, including Mr. Lawrence, will be available for press comment after the meeting.
WHO
The Coalition for a Safer San Mateo County is composed of 37 San Mateo County community organizations with an estimated combined membership of 5,000, which are advocating for an independent civilian oversight board and an Inspector General.
WHEN
The Board of Supervisors meeting begins at 9:00 am on October 24.
WHERE
Hall of Justice Plaza, 400 County Center, Redwood City. It is a hybrid meeting, including Zoom.
WHY
Organized by Fixin’ San Mateo County, the push for oversight comes after multiple incidents of police brutality and over-policing that disproportionately impact communities of color. Five years ago this month, Chinedu Okobi, a 36-year-old Black resident of San Mateo, was killed by police after they attempted to stop him while allegedly jaywalking.
Mr. Okobi’s sister, Ekene Okobi, says, “A Black person in San Mateo County is 17 times more likely than a White person to be killed by law enforcement. Public oversight is absolutely essential for institutions and organizations that have repeatedly harmed the most marginalized members of our communities. The public should be privy to all the details behind situations that turn deadly. Most of all, there should be accountability for any members of law enforcement who abuse their power.”
Assembly Bill 1185 authorizes a county to establish a sheriff oversight board, either by action of the board of supervisors or through a vote of county residents. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to create a subcommittee to research oversight models and, last November, voted to move ahead with creating an ordinance that would incorporate both the civilian board and Inspector General that Fixin’ SMC had recommended.
Sheriff’s oversight is coming to Alameda County
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors took a step that many police accountability advocates have for years clamored for: civilian oversight of the sheriff’s department. The Board voted to create a seven-member Oversight Board and an Office of the Inspector General on Tuesday that was recommended in a report authored by former Alameda County Chief Probation Officer Wendy Still.
Media Advisory: Press Conference and Rally for Oversight, September 12
WHAT
The Coalition for a Safer San Mateo County is holding a press conference and rally to support independent civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Office. The rally will be headlined by Redwood City Vice Mayor Lissette Espinoza-Garnica, South San Francisco City Councilmember James Coleman, and Fixin’ San Mateo County Board Chair Jim Lawrence, together with a prayer led by the Reverend Penny Nixon of the Peninsula Solidarity Cohort. The Raging Grannies Action League will perform and lead the group in chants and music.
WHO
The Coalition for a Safer San Mateo County is composed of 33 San Mateo County organizations with an estimated combined membership of 5,000, which are advocating for an independent civilian oversight board and an Inspector General.
WHEN
The events will be held at 8:30 am on September 12th
WHERE
Hall of Justice Plaza, 400 County Center, Redwood City
WHY
Lígia Andráde Zúñiga, President of the LatinX Democratic Club of San Mateo County, said, “In order for our communities across San Mateo County to be safe, we need accountability and transparency that only comes with oversight. Our county must provide the same protection and policing for all its residents.”
Organized by Fixin’ San Mateo County, the push for oversight comes after many incidents of police brutality and over-policing disproportionately impact communities of color. More specifically, Chinedu Okobi, a 36-year-old Black resident of San Mateo, was killed by police after they attempted to stop him while jaywalking. Assembly Bill 1185 authorizes a county to establish a sheriff oversight board, either by action of the board of supervisors or through a vote of county residents.
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to create a subcommittee to research oversight models, and in November, voted to move ahead with the creation of an ordinance that would incorporate both the civilian board and Inspector General that Fixin’ SMC had recommended.
San Jose poised to settle lawsuit over 2020 protests
Michael Acosta, who lost his eye after being shot with a hard projectile by San Jose police during protests following the 2020 killing of George Floyd, is set to receive millions in a city settlement. The $3 million payout is part of a $3.35 million total settlement the city is weighing for Acosta and a group of people who also sued the city over violent police tactics and weapons used at the local protests.
Fixin’ San Mateo County receives grant from Grove Action Fund
Fixin’ San Mateo County says that the grant funding will help it with both its operating costs and community outreach efforts. “We are grateful for the Grove Action Fund’s commitment to independent oversight of the Sheriff’s Office,” said FxSMC Board Chair Jim Lawrence.