San Mateo County Supervisors Approve the First Appointments to Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office

PRESS RELEASE. From the San Mateo County Executive’s Office on June 11th, 2024.

Redwood City – San Mateo County supervisors today voted unanimously to appoint seven residents to the first Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office.

Created in December 2023, the commission will aim to boost transparency and increase trust between communities and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. The commission will conduct community outreach, hold public meetings and serve in an advisory role to the Board of Supervisors, among other duties.

The seven residents appointed to the inaugural Independent Civilian Advisory Commission on the Sheriff’s Office are:

• Marco Durazo, representing District 1
• James Simmons, representing District 2
• William McClure, representing District 3
• Rob Silano, representing District 4
• Kalimah Salahuddin, representing District 5
• Mike Fisher, Sheriff’s nominee
• Shirley Melnicoe, representing member at-large

Supervisors also appointed two non-voting at-large alternates, Rebecca Carabez and Alexis Lewis.

The County’s Youth Commission, in a separate action, designated Bethany Zhao as a non-voting liaison.

“I have full confidence that this strong group of commissioners to act as a bridge between the Sheriff’s Office and the community it services,” said Warren Slocum, president of the Board of Supervisors. “I look forward to working with the commission and the Sheriff’s Office to improve public safety and providing opportunities for the community to have their voices heard.”

“Congratulations to this outstanding and diverse group of individuals who are committing their time and expertise to this important work,” said Supervisor Dave Pine, who along with Slocum will serve as a Board liaison with the commission. “With their appointment, now begins the hard work to get the commission up and running.”

Following extensive outreach efforts seeking diverse community representation, a total of 77 residents submitted applications to serve on the commission. Each of the five members of the Board of Supervisors selected a nominee from the applicant pool.

Sheriff Christina Corpus nominated one member from the applicant pool, while Slocum and Pine, as liaisons with the commission, nominated an at-large member and alternates.

In creating the commission, the Board tasked it to:

• Act in an advisory capacity to the Board to facilitate transparency, accountability and engagement with respect to the Sheriff’s Office.
• Hold public meetings, conduct community outreach and receive community input regarding the Sheriff’s Office.
• Not interfere with the investigative or prosecutorial functions of the Sheriff’s Office, participate or advise on departmental personnel or disciplinary matters, make referrals on matters under active investigation, or issue subpoenas.

The new commissioners will be provided with an extensive orientation over the next few months. Their first facilitated meeting is not yet scheduled but is likely to occur this summer or early fall.

The full report to the Board of Supervisors contains background information on each commissioner.

More on the SMCo Independent Civilian Advisory on Coastside Buzz

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Author: Coastside Buzz

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