Sergeants, lieutenants call for San Mateo County sheriff’s resignation

“We are witnessing the destruction of the Sheriff’s Office and deterioration of morale due to the corruption and lies told by Sheriff Corpus,” a statement from the OSS read. “The time for the organization to heal and rebuild is now, and the call for new leadership needs to be answered by everyone who has been impacted by their failures.” 

The OSS members are demanding the immediate resignation of Corpus, Undersheriff Dan Perea and former chief of staff Victor Aenlle — who Corpus has attempted to promote to assistant sheriff in an effort to keep him within the executive team. Aenlle’s status as an employee remains uncertain as county counsel investigates whether his promotion was legal.

The call for the resignations of the Sheriff’s Office top brass comes after an investigation conducted by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell outlined substantial evidence of retaliation, abuse of power and conflicts of interest within Corpus’ administration. 

Corpus did not respond for comment, but has consistently stated she will not step down.

The 66 members join the office’s five captains, the Board of Supervisors, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association, and local legislative leaders calling for Corpus’ resignation. 

“This Sheriff had numerous opportunities to try and set things right, but unfortunately, she chose to consistently mislead the press and the public, putting her personal agenda ahead of the hardworking men and women of the Sheriff’s Office and the communities we serve,” the statement from the OSS read. 

As a way to “streamline information” for residents about “updates that impact them most” from the Sheriff’s Office, Corpus announced Nov. 25 she will be launching a quarterly newsletter that “allows residents to get important information directly from us.” 

“I believe that maintaining lines of communication between the community and our office will help us build greater trust, inclusion and collaboration as we work harder and smarter to fight crime,” Corpus wrote in the inaugural newsletter. 

The first edition of the newsletter made no mention of the ongoing outcries of concern over the state of the Sheriff’s Office, but included staff’s access to a 24/7 therapist as a wellness initiative, an autism awareness training conducted in July, and other community programs implemented earlier this year. 

The San Carlos City Council will consider casting a similar vote calling for Corpus’ resignation. San Carlos is one of the three cities that contracts with the Sheriff’s Office. The city’s police chief Capt. Mike Myers called for Corpus’ resignation last week.