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.

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

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.

Read the full story at RWC Pulse

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.