No confidence in San Mateo County sheriff’s brass

Concerns included alleged union busting, creating a “culture of fear,” and more, DSA President Carlos Tapia said. 

“This is purely symbolic, but it’s crystal clear,” Tapia said. “The membership has spoken. The sheriff has said this is just a few noncontents on the board, but no, the membership has spoken.” 

Aenlle said he expected such results, but is “moving forward with our plans.” 

Sheriff Christina Corpus has defended Aenlle since the union boards first posed public concern over his actions, and doubled down on doing so, stating in a letter to county residents that the vote was an effort to “bully” Corpus and “nothing more than a political stunt led by a few insiders.”

“Let me make it crystal clear: no one will intimidate me into making personnel changes,” Corpus wrote. “I appointed my Chief of Staff and he will remain in that position.” 

The Board of Supervisors released a statement ensuring an impartial investigation into allegations and affirmed they have commissioned Judge LaDoris Cordell to lead this effort. Cordell was previously the independent police auditor for San Jose.

“The Board of Supervisors is committed to leveraging every resource available to ensure that the residents of San Mateo County receive the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct in County services,” the statement read. “We are also dedicated to ensuring that County employees are treated fairly, with dignity and in accordance with the law.” 

The investigation is separate from that ongoing in regards to unfair labor practice complaints filed with the Public Employment Relations Board. The DSA filed a complaint with the state agency alleging the Sheriff’s Office administration failed to provide advance written notice or opportunity to meet and confer over decisions to changing minimum staffing levels or the now expired mandatory overtime policy. Aenlle is identified directly in the complaint for allegedly violating strict neutrality by engaging in unlawful communications with union members.

Corpus wrote that “special interests seeking to undermine my leadership” are looking to stifle the change she’s brought with her tenure as sheriff. 

“You elected me as your Sheriff to make positive and long overdue changes in this Office,” she wrote. “Change is not easy and some of our efforts are being met with resistance.”