REDWOOD CITY – The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors is moving forward with an appointment process — not a special election — to replace Sheriff Christina Corpus, who was recently removed for conflict-of-interest violations and retaliation.
The board voted 3-2 in favor of the appointment process option at a meeting Tuesday night.
County employees were directed to “pursue an appointment process that emphasizes transparency, accountability and community trust,” the county said in a statement.
Supervisors Jackie Speier and David Canepa voted no, with the latter throwing his support behind a special election.
“Tonight, the board has taken the power away from the county’s 444,847 registered voters to decide who its next sheriff should be which is a blow to democracy,” Canepa said in a statement. “The appointment process gives just three members on this board in a two-week stretch the power to pick the county’s next top law enforcement officer for the next three years with no voter input whatsoever.”
Under the county charter, the board has until Nov. 13 to either call a special election or make an appointment.
The decision followed Judge Nina Shapirshteyn’s rejection earlier in the day of Corpus’ petition to halt any appointment or special election while she challenges her removal from office.
Candidates must live in San Mateo County and possess certain professional qualifications, such as holding a valid certificate from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, according to the county statement.
Supervisors said candidates should also have recent law enforcement experience, including operating correctional facilities. In San Mateo County, the sheriff’s office manages the jails.
Candidates will be asked to describe their guiding philosophy, identify their three highest priorities if appointed, and explain how they would foster public trust and accountability, according to the county statement.
The county plans to share information about the appointment process on a website.
A meeting for the board to interview candidates and a public candidate forum are being planned.
Check back for updates.