Sheriff announces early retirement

Undersheriff Carlos Bolanos has been serving as acting sheriff and will continue to do so while the county Board of Supervisors determines how to fill his vacancy, according to a press release.

The board is expected to consider next steps at its July 12 meeting, which could include appointing someone to fill the remainder of Munks’ term or hold a special election, said Warren Slocum, president of the Board of Supervisors.

“[Munks] has a lot to be proud of and of course, we all wish him and his family the very best in this challenge,” Slocum said.

Munks had announced earlier this year that he would not be seeking re-election in 2018, prompting Bolanos to throw his hat in the ring. But on Friday, Munks said he would be stepping down in two weeks due to an ongoing health condition.

“After much thought and consultation with my family and doctor, I have made the difficult decision to retire. A heart procedure scheduled for July 11th is the third time I have attempted to correct a condition that, while not life-threatening, does affect my quality of life and my ability to maintain a full-time work schedule,” Munks said in a statement.

Munks spent 14 years as undersheriff to then-sheriff and now Supervisor Don Horsley. Munks was elected as sheriff in June 2006 and has been the top vote getter during two subsequent elections. He has been credited with revamping the county’s correctional system in response to overcrowding and in reaction to the state’s Prison Realignment Plan. He also oversaw construction of the county’s new state-of-the-art Maple Street Correctional Center, which opened earlier this year.

“The things that I really appreciated about him where that he focused on reducing recidivism and focused on getting people back to productive lives rather than just locking people up,” Slocum said, noting Munks oversaw the statewide implementation of the voter-approved Proposition 47, which reduced many non-violent crimes to misdemeanors. “There was a major shift in public policy in California and I think he handled that transition with professionalism.”

During Munks’ tenure, the Sheriff’s Office has also assumed policing responsibilities for the cities of San Carlos, Half Moon Bay and Millbrae.

“It has been an honor and privilege to lead the outstanding men and women of the Sheriff’s Office for the past nine and a half years. I have tremendous respect for the work they do every day to keep our community safe,” Munks said.

Munks began his career in 1977 as a deputy sheriff with the county and spent time as an officer with the Palo Alto Police Department between 1981 and 1993.

In 2007, Munks ran into some controversy after he was briefly detained at a massage parlor, with Bolanos outside, during a Las Vegas police sting labeled “Operation Dollhouse.” Neither were ever charged and Munks later admitted though he thought it was a legitimate business, it was not.

County Manager John Maltbie thanked Munks for his service and leadership, particularly during the Proposition 47 transition, and expressed continued confidence in the department.

“Sheriff Munks provided invaluable leadership as the county wrestled with significant law enforcement issues like absorbing state prisoners and seeing through the opening of a new program-focused jail that goes beyond simply warehousing people,” Maltbie said in a press release. “He has been an asset to the Sheriff’s Office and the county as a whole. While his departure is certainly a loss, his dedication has created a stable framework for his department to continue thriving.”

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