[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6329020,"mediaKeyId","2316608-719d466e9657064f09db938af2840fc7","parentId",2316608,"title","County counsel: undersheriff acts immediately if sheriff's office is vacant; Board must appoint interim until next general election","audioSeconds",240,"startMs",2536000,"endMs",2776000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316608-719d466e9657064f09db938af2840fc7&start=2536&end=2776","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316608-719d466e9657064f09db938af2840fc7/thumbnail_2536000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6329020/San-Mateo-County/California/County-counsel-undersheriff-acts-immediately-if-sheriffs-office-is-vacant-Board-must-appoint-interim-until-next-general-election","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329020-6d5f0a14f51535c345bee5ab1a5a1cf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140145&Signature=nS7HBUEFkGt18N~ioGNLHTa8MoTB0CHQSZCZBAYmS~krBvHjIchkORT5naxCf7NRm2VOaA06Cv26AWOgFv-NIIs-WO9a8sbOVLClMEhLObJ7IZrfYKLqJ3NP5TD5J9Noe0CWQffyQJcskRSDYZIVeS8hqT-eLF84lH42sU8pJCSG4pSYMQfPa-KFke1tKQLM8fckz4Lh0-4In3MbjBrxW0HUl5olaHC~xTKrQCAQ8gOtUx1zlaVn9vvqXyrKipxLdA9TVVc4mX9kx4ZPYpxJw2wXrCx-RddeRWDAKjnb1j53XOsP-skKtFxXa-iHSbHyLSOm~dULf7IvlJvoqLrs5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Mateo County CA","date","2025-02-15T09:59:37.367Z","article","San Mateo County counsel told the Independent Civilian Advisory Commission that if the office of sheriff becomes vacant the undersheriff — or, if vacant, the assistant sheriff or next chief deputy in line — will immediately discharge the duties of sheriff, but the Board of Supervisors is required to appoint someone to fill the vacancy until the next applicable general election.

A county attorney’s presentation summarized the relevant state law: \"If the office of the sheriff becomes vacant, the duties of the sheriff shall be discharged by the under sheriff, or if that position is vacant, by the assistant sheriff or the next chief deputy in line of authority,\" the county attorney said. The county attorney added the Board must fill vacancies \"by appointment\" and that the appointee serves until the first Monday after the next general election. The presentation cited an Attorney General opinion and identified the next relevant statewide general election as Nov. 23, 2026; an appointee would serve until Jan. 5, 2027, the county attorney said.

Commissioners asked procedural questions about how the Board would select an appointee and whether the undersheriff could be appointed; county counsel said the Board may determine its own process and may hold public interviews, but any interviews would have to be conducted publicly. Counsel also noted that an appointed interim sheriff would have the same legal obligations as an elected sheriff and that the sheriff would be entitled to notice and an opportunity to be heard should the Board seek removal following a special election.

Public commenters urged attention to staff morale and the importance of a transparent appointment process. Deacon Lauren Patton McCombs of Fixing San Mateo encouraged the commission to consider deputies' workplace climate: she said many deputies feel \"anxiety, intimidation, and fear\" and urged a smooth, healthy transition if the sheriff's office becomes vacant. Nancy Goodman, a Fixing San Mateo County volunteer, said employees \"deserve a good and strong healthy working environment\" and said that any interim appointee should be able to build supportive relationships with sworn and civilian staff.

County staff and commissioners discussed that the commission's post‑Measure A communication plan should be ready promptly after the special election so the commission can advise the Board on transparent next steps if voters authorize the Board to act. Commissioners said public outreach and a clear timeline for Board action would help the community understand any appointment process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office, February 5, 2025 6:30pm","oneSentenceSummary","San Mateo County counsel told the Independent Civilian Advisory Commission that if the office of sheriff becomes vacant the undersheriff — or the next senior deputy — acts immediately, and the Board of Supervisors must appoint an interim who would serve until the first Monday after the next general election.","taxTitle","San Mateo County, California","taxId",3572,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6329015,"ICAC adopts priorities and mission, schedules outreach; asks staff to clarify complaint routing",900,3255000,4155000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316608-719d466e9657064f09db938af2840fc7&start=3255&end=4155","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316608-719d466e9657064f09db938af2840fc7/thumbnail_3255000.jpg","/articles/6329015/San-Mateo-County/California/ICAC-adopts-priorities-and-mission-schedules-outreach-asks-staff-to-clarify-complaint-routing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329015-3747a302a75b402b49f3e2d86a6d7d4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140145&Signature=Buez4tLbaeQrNW6L703PDPVWMtCv-Ec-dc79gpjTsGLIfweX7a65Zqmp66LHysDHw6kA7XbjBpXwIB5fGGbKjXdlZob1AToYufnIAcSy28v3PE7AIwcVMQa~5q7hU5q1L9x1XBHWJwcfqdUDRIdRHqXO-B0KsXWsIVsRIBDE1GoauC8a390NoAGTo03VhKPIxmrCw7pf6S~Dw0bbFqN2ks4GBnqgD1~FU~fJ3JPiPNt5yNeVMxTk0TBMJor7J69skxrk6u2d2BQM7i~wRaik7Wr9T7E3iuetfWvjd7Go34Mfsf0bsXIUSDk9dlV2v7wlUSvYn9IeA2lTl2hKUdGGGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff's Office voted to adopt a set of priorities and a draft mission statement and discussed next steps for community engagement, work plans and how commissioners should handle emails or complaints from the public.

Chair Kalima Salahuddin led the commission through three priority areas: (1) community and staff engagement, (2) transparency and accountability, and (3) improved communication between incarcerated people and their families. Commissioners described planned work items, proposed timelines and desired outcomes. Commissioner Shirley and Commissioner Rebecca said the community‑engagement team will identify three neighborhoods by service calls, complaints and incarceration rates, develop forum questions and an exit survey, and aim to hold a minimum of three forums with at least 25 attendees each; the group proposed an April timeline to identify neighborhoods. The communication team (Commissioners Michael and Alexis) said it will research post‑Measure A planning and options for an inspector general dedicated to the sheriff's office; another group (Commissioners James and Bill) will study mail and communication practices for people in custody and associated staff‑safety risks.

Commissioners moved and passed adoption of the priorities by voice vote. A commissioner motioned to adopt and a second was recorded; the chair called the ayes and recorded no nays or abstentions on the public record.

The commission also discussed a proposed post‑Measure A public communication plan that Chair Kalima Salahuddin said she is preparing for the Board of Supervisors. Salahuddin told the commission she wants the plan to explain the Board's authority and timeline if voters authorize Board action, include a community review component for any selection process the Board uses, and outline next steps if Measure A does not pass. \"I recommend that the following items happen after the special election and that the board develop and implement this communication plan,\" Salahuddin said, summarizing the draft she circulated to commissioners for feedback.

Commissioners and staff then addressed an operational question that arose repeatedly at the commission's retreat: how commissioners should respond when community members email complaints. County counsel and staff recommended that complaints alleging misconduct by a particular deputy be referred to the Sheriff's Office complaint process or the county whistleblower hotline so they can be investigated through the appropriate channels. Counsel said the county has a whistleblower process that routes complaints to the county attorney’s office. Commissioners asked staff to draft standard guidance and an email response template and to clarify how the commission can publicly escalate recurring themes without creating an unauthorized meeting under the Brown Act.

The commission reviewed a draft mission statement drafted from its value statements: The mission of the Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff's Office is to provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding the Sheriff's Office to enhance public confidence and foster mutual respect and trust internally and externally; to advocate for policies, programs and practices that reflect community needs; and to support a sheriff's office that upholds accountability, transparency and principles of justice. Commissioners agreed to refine the wording and return the mission for formal adoption at a subsequent meeting.","The Independent Civilian Advisory Commission voted to adopt priorities and a draft mission statement, scheduled community forums and asked county staff to provide guidance on routing public complaints.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6329024,"San Mateo County keeps an \"on‑call\" inspector general bench; public pushes for permanent office",977,1207000,2184000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316608-719d466e9657064f09db938af2840fc7&start=1207&end=2184","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316608-719d466e9657064f09db938af2840fc7/thumbnail_1207000.jpg","/articles/6329024/San-Mateo-County/California/San-Mateo-County-keeps-an-oncall-inspector-general-bench-public-pushes-for-permanent-office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329024-309dee00de85466672d832e27370351a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140145&Signature=o969PIPgfGDaQTzhF69ybmawPVNV8p2VJ2CiwJE19x78Il8xol-pwAonwZrW9fOAiHgbhjfttGaM0AO6Cnhtxedd-zroDR1CuEPz3-tlQLF2D5jqV45tgrw8tbPq0s8mBqMt65lC85vUiRBF5zhd19T3RhPmV5WdtF07hTkTk1Lo7xdDo8mENOtLKSCahQkSH033KRk-vktDOq~TgNHt-p7lnTRopLiErMGxd5Ir3JroRKLyW3yGfOQJcgZ5Bv6nf~cVvvcwz4yRwcFUrv6csQStIKGAQKbWXSLMTR5rPkObnDc~3Mlp4uNYEehyL2bTHUctPR8aCKXSaE82kFi1Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Mateo County staff described to the Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on Saturday a model that relies on a bench of on‑call inspector general contractors rather than a single, permanent inspector general.

County staffer Dr. Pete Hines said the county issued a 2024 request for qualifications and selected five qualified proposers — primarily law firms and investigators — to form an on‑call pool. He said the Board of Supervisors or the County Executive Office would vote to authorize a task order to one of the on‑call firms when an investigation or analysis is needed. \"They're all on contracts that will be activated via task orders,\" Hines said. \"Once we identify, you know, John Alden Group, and they give us a proposal for what it would take to complete an investigation, we would execute a task order and draw that down from our overall contract value.\"

Hines listed the firms on the bench by name and described the rationale: the pool approach lets the county match expertise to a specific issue and run multiple investigations concurrently. He said the county considered a permanent inspector general during an extended study but the Board chose the on‑call bench instead. Hines also referenced Judge Cordell's prior work in a similar role for the county, noting she did not apply for the current bench.

The presentation drew several public commenters and commissioners who urged a different approach. Bill Newell of the Coalition for a Safer San Mateo County and Fixing San Mateo told the commission there is \"a need for a permanent inspector general, who will look at policies, practices, trends, incidents, complaints, etcetera.\" Newell added that a permanent office with subpoena power can be proactive and independent: \"With a permanent inspector general, you have a proactive independent model that can respond to issues before they arise.\"

Public commenter Drew (last name not specified) criticized reliance on outside investigators, saying they can have incentives that lead to \"sensationalism\" and that outside probes sometimes produce conclusions framed as decisive despite limited underlying material. Pat Willard of the Peninsula Anti‑Racism Coalition said the county needs a standing inspector general able to issue subpoenas and pull testimony to investigate alleged abuse and patterns of misconduct.

County staff told the commission the on‑call bench model is the county’s current approach and that the commission may recommend that the Board authorize a specific inspector general assignment if the body deems follow‑up investigation necessary. Hines said the CEO's office will keep the commission informed when the Board activates an inspector general.

The discussion underscored a continuing difference between many community commenters, who favor a permanent inspector general with subpoena authority, and the county's current, contract‑based approach.","County staff told the Independent Civilian Advisory Commission that San Mateo County has a bench of on‑call inspector general contractors activated by the Board or CEO; community members urged a permanent, full‑time inspector general with subpoena power.","actionData","errors"]

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County counsel: undersheriff acts immediately if sheriff's office is vacant; Board must appoint interim until next general election

ICAC adopts priorities and mission, schedules outreach; asks staff to clarify complaint routing

San Mateo County keeps an "on‑call" inspector general bench; public pushes for permanent office