While this is a difficult time to be leading a law enforcement agency, it should also be seen as an era of opportunity as well.
In the race to be our county’s next sheriff, incumbent Carlos Bolanos is being challenged by Sheriff’s Capt. Christina Corpus, who oversees the office’s Millbrae bureau.
Bolanos has taken on these challenges well and responds in time to calls for change. Operationally, the Sheriff’s Office appears strong despite a shortage of deputies and there is still a high level of arrests that come from top-level investigations and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies. Yet, we believe Corpus could come up to speed quickly as she is already a member of the office’s leadership team and is keenly aware of both the challenges and opportunities. When it comes to opportunities and communication, Corpus has the edge.
There is renewed interest in how laws are enforced in this nation as it relates to race. This issue emerged in the summer of 2020 and reflects a new thinking when it comes to resources in keeping every part of our community safe. A call for reducing funding to law enforcement has waned, but the energy behind wanting to do things differently has been evident in more focus on mental illness as a cause of public safety incidents. There has been progress made, but there could also be much more.
There have also been operational challenges related to the pandemic that have exacerbated ongoing issues caused by this area’s rising cost of living. Staffing levels are a concern, but that is the case with many other agencies. Creativity is needed in getting the office fully staffed.
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Bolanos is well-regarded for his operational savvy yet sometimes falls short when it comes to communication. At one time, an understanding of interior operations was enough bulwark to stave off calls for change and a top law enforcement official could simply dismiss suggestions from people who didn’t understand the ins and outs of policing and the challenges faced every day. But that time is no longer. More people have ideas of how things could be better and communication between the interior and exterior is now an essential part of the job.
On this issue, Corpus clearly has more interest in proactive engagement with the community to receive input and to also explain the basis for how the office operates. People are demanding this, and justifiably so.
One can contend that the office is operationally sound and running smoothly. And for the most part it is, there are both large-scale operations, investigations and day-to-day enforcement that keeps the community safe. The office and its deputies are largely doing a good job in challenging circumstances in their obligations to our county.
But at times, every agency needs a new beginning and fresh leadership. The office could use a restart, with a new energy targeting proactive transparency and communication. Corpus has that as the central focus of her campaign to be San Mateo County sheriff for a reason. She has the experience, the mission and the mindset to take the operational strength of the office and make it better for all to see while ensuring that every community question is answered and understood. This is an opportunity we simply cannot pass up. Corpus deserves our county’s support to take on that challenge so we can move in a fresh new direction together.
(13) comments
This is a well written and thoughtful editorial. But I'd trade a better communicator for Sheriff Balonos who has a proven record of keeping us safe in our current "defund and demoralize" the police environment. Each police officer needs to know that the Chief has their back when faced with a spilt second decision to save someone's life or their own. Since Sheriff Bolanos already has the trust of his officers and the people of San Mateo County, why risk electing a less experienced Sheriff.
Today at the Board of Supervisors meeting during public comments, 16 deputies and sergeants spoke to say morale has never been lower, it has been getting worse the past 6 years, people are going to other law enforcement agencies. The Deputy Sheriffs Association and the Sergeants declined to make an endorsement in the race. It doesn't sound like a vote of confidence for the current Sherif.
So if the Deputy Sheriffs Association and the Sergeants declined to make an endorsement in the race, it doesn’t sound like a vote of confidence for Corpus, either. BTW, you can refer to the same article I cited below for an answer to your other concerns.
The Board of Supervisors is mostly Democrat leaning as likely are the few who spoke. The Deputy Sheriffs Association and the Sargents wisely took a neutral stance not knowing who will win.
Sadly, he does not have the backs of the Deputies. He keeps the status quo. When Chinedu Okobi was killed by being tasered 7 times by San Mateo County deputies, Bolanos made no effort to change the status quo. Deputies deserve training on less lethal options than force, tools such as the BolaWrap that Christina Corpus championed, they deserve to have a fully functional department that is not short by 100 deputies, and we would all be safer if they had anti-bias training. Furthermore, the less affluent communities, such as East Palo Alto, deserve the same level of protection as Woodside and Portola Valley--this is currently not the case. There is so much improvement needed, I could go on for several pages. We need a new Sheriff.
Is this endorsement trying to say that a better communicator will run the Sheriff’s department better? After inheriting the status quo of an operationally sound office that is running smoothly, perhaps they have time to do that – thanks to Sheriff Bolanos. As the endorsement shows, Bolanos has done an exceptional job of keeping San Mateo County safe. The main criticism of Bolanos is that he is short on communication. I’m sure Bolanos is busy running the Sheriff’s department and being a better communicator is less a priority than keeping the county safe.
Every agency does need a new beginning and fresh leadership but only if the past has been doing poorly and not meeting expectations. Otherwise, why risk a change. By all accounts (even this endorsement) Sheriff Bolanos is more than meeting expectations in keeping San Mateo County as one of the safest in the Bay Area. Of course if you’re willing to elect someone who has no track record of running a large department, but is a better communicator, by all means vote for a change. The bottom line is whether you’re willing to re-elect Bolanos, who has a track record of keeping the county safe (by all measures, even this endorsement), or whether you’re willing to roll the dice and hope that Corpus, who has no leadership track record, will continue to keep the county safe. Safety first, then communication.
100 vacancies and working without a contract for 2 years is not success. Just sayin.
Sorry, NancyG, that’s not the Sheriff’s fault – that’s an issue with county representatives. Please read the following article to see that Bolanos has the same concerns: https://www.smdailyjournal.com/news/local/sheriff-asking-san-mateo-county-officials-for-hiring-help/article_10611cec-b627-11ec-b570-ab4528934a6d.html. You may want to direct your blame to the county and not try to blame Sheriff Bolanos. Just sayin. BTW, an astute comment on the cited article.
Why was it just 2 months before the election, before the Sheriff noticed there was a problem and spoke out? Is it for the same reason that his "Transparency" web page went up just 1 month after his opponent announced she was running? Our current Sheriff does not understand leadership. We need a Sheriff who will provide leadership, who will care about the Deputies, who will create programs and partnerships that help Deputies better serve the needs of the community, who cares about the community. We need Christina Corpus.
I totally agree. Millbrae Police Chief Corpus has promoted up the ranks for the last 20 years - launched a boot camp to mentor women choosing law enforcement careers, and recently in coordination with LifeMoves the Millbrae division has helped house 64 unhoused people by bringing a LifeMoves counselor not just an armed deputy. Smart, efficient, should be countywide. And while working, raising her family, and running for office she finished her masters in law enforcement leadership. She is innovative, strong, smart, experienced, and forward thinking. And most important of all, she has integrity and will not countenance corruption.
NancyG - leave the 'unhoused' issue to Social Services. Isn't that what we pay them for? The Sheriff is here for law enforcement and keeping us safe and not to delve into responsibilities of other apparently poorly run departments. Obama was a great communicator too, but a disastrous president.
You do realize who goes out when someone calls 911?
All good reasons to vote for Balanos.
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