Newly appointed San Mateo County Sheriff Ken Binder announced Chris Hsiung as his first pick on his executive team, taking an undersheriff position he had prior to his resignation under Sheriff Christina Corpus following disagreements with her leadership.
Hsiung’s return comes as Binder assumes leadership of an agency still recovering from a divisive period that culminated in Corpus’ removal by the Board of Supervisors last month over allegations of conflict of interest and retaliation. Corpus denies the allegations and is pursuing legal challenges and appeals related to her removal.
The undersheriff was among dozens of witnesses who testified against Corpus during her removal hearing last August, which led hearing officer retired Judge James Emerson to recommend her ouster.
According to a statement from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, “Hsiung returns to the Sheriff’s Office at a pivotal moment following a period of significant transition.” His appointment will be temporary, expected to last about eight months, focusing on “organizational healing, leadership development and operational excellence.”
Hsiung’s appointment is temporary because he is taking a leave of absence from his role as executive director of The Curve, a national nonprofit he co-founded with inspirational speaker Simon Sinek focused on policing issues, according to a press release. He is a founding board member and will resume his duties after completing his term as undersheriff.
He is a 30-year law enforcement veteran. Hsiung spent 28 years with the Mountain View Police Department, serving as chief for his final two years, before retiring and joining the Sheriff’s Office in February 2023, from which he resigned in June 2024.
Binder said Hsiung brings stability, experience, and familiarity with the agency.
“I’m thrilled that Chris Hsiung is coming back to serve as undersheriff. Not only is Undersheriff Hsiung a respected law enforcement leader, but he brings a deep understanding of the Sheriff’s Office and a genuine commitment to the men and women who work here,” Binder said. “Undersheriff Hsiung is a servant leader, a person of integrity, and we share a similar management style. His experience and values will help guide us as we continue to move forward.”
Hsiung said he hopes to help Binder steady the organization.
“The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office has extraordinary deputies, correctional officers and professional staff who all have deep community ties,” he said. “It is an honor to support them during this critical time of renewal. My focus over the next several months will be to help foster an innovative and supportive culture, invest in the people who serve here, and support Sheriff Binder in ensuring the Office is positioned for long-term success.”
Binder also said he plans to rehire former Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan, who was let go by Corpus last year before the county intervened in his termination.
Monaghan, a longtime San Mateo Police Department official and former Tiburon police chief, is currently leading a county initiative on human trafficking.
During removal hearings in August, Corpus cited Monaghan’s insubordination as the reason for his termination. Monaghan, however, said his removal was tied to his involvement in the November 2024 investigation into her leadership, authored by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell, which first raised allegations of conflict of interest and retaliation against Corpus and triggered the events that ultimately led to her ouster.
Both Monaghan and Hsiung have support from local civic organizations.
Nancy Goodban, executive director of the citizen-led watchdog group Fixin’ San Mateo, said she supports restoring former executive staff.
“He is bringing back the well-respected executive team of former Undersheriff Chris Hsiung and former Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan. And he has pledged to look to further promotions from the ranks,” Goodban said. “It seems as though these moves will help to build morale and facilitate teamwork.”