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Creating more robust checks and balances for the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office has been a top priority for many local residents for years, and Sheriff Ken Binder is trying a new approach: an ombudsperson.
An ombudsperson is generally a government official who works to resolve complaints about a system. The Sheriff’s Office is looking for an ombudsperson to improve communication between incarcerated people, their families, the office itself and the broader community. The person hired will be tasked with processing complaints related to the county’s jail system and working with others in the office to improve conditions, officials say.
Spokesperson Gretchen Spiker said Binder suggested the role during his appointment last November, saying it would support the office’s efforts to improve transparency and rebuild trust.
“The ombudsperson will help improve the responsiveness and effectiveness of the complaint process related to our correctional facilities, work collaboratively with the Sheriff’s Office to identify opportunities for improvement and serve as a neutral resource for community members,” Spiker said in an email.
The application opened on July 28 and closed on Aug. 11. During that window, Spiker said the office received 50 applications, which the county is in the process of reviewing as it hopes to fill the position in the coming months.
The position is funded through the office’s annual budget, which was approved by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. According to the job listing, the role has a budgeted pay range of $121,264 to $151,611.
The addition of an ombudsperson comes at a time when the county Sheriff’s Office seeks stability after a period marked by scandals and calls for reform. Binder was appointed by the Board of Supervisors after former Sheriff Christina Corpus was ousted amid allegations of misconduct and corruption. The board gained the temporary power to remove her after voters passed a charter amendment in March 2025 with about 84% of the vote.
Residents have been pushing for reform at the Sheriff’s Office across a range of topics unrelated to Corpus’ removal, many involving the jail system. Advocates have been protesting county policies that limit incarcerated people’s access to mail through a digital-only platform and demanding reform of how the jail delivers prescription medication after 25-year-old Kyle Harrison died at the Maple Street Correctional Facility. Deteriorating infrastructure is another concern, as in-person visits at Maguire Correctional Facility were completely stopped for six months in 2025 due to a broken elevator.
Nancy Goodban, executive director of the public safety advocacy group Fixin’ San Mateo County, said it will be good to have stronger oversight of the jail system but worries the ombudsperson won’t have enough power to enact broader policy changes.
“I don’t have any objections, and none of us do to having an ombudsperson in the county,” Goodban said. “There’s nothing wrong with it, but it’s certainly not as strong.”
She also said the Sheriff’s Office needs more accountability mechanisms on other topics, such as use of force. Fixin’ San Mateo County has been advocating for an inspector general office to be established. Goodban said an inspector general would be more independent of the Sheriff’s Office and have more freedom to hold the office accountable by reporting directly to the Board of Supervisors and to the public.
The county’s Independent Civilian Advisory Commission to the Sheriff’s Office recommended the county create a permanent independent inspector general in April 2025. Commissioner Rob Silano was part of that vote, though he said he’s changed his mind because of his trust in Binder’s leadership and the office’s managerial team.
Silano said the jail is one of the office’s biggest “problem areas,” so he understands hiring someone to specifically provide oversight, handle complaints and propose improvements. However, “when the dust settles,” Silano said he thinks the position could be expanded to other areas of the office.
“Do we have to spend $4 million of taxpayer money to set up a different division?” Silano said. “It’s not out of control anymore. The reason I voted for an inspector general is because of what was in place then, but now I have ultimate confidence in the Sheriff’s Office.”
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Silano has ultimate confidence in the Sheriff’s Office now. What happens when the Sheriff changes again. That is ultimately is the problem, the Sheriff is not a static position. It is potentially subject to change every four years. We could be looking for the need for an Inspector General then. Why not do it NOW so it is in place should it be needed. Never mind that there are those that would argue it IS needed now.
Metro Voter:
The County has a list of professional groups that specialize in law enforcement investigations, as we saw with the first ” 400 plus page report” hired by the County Executive Office. In addition, these law enforcement agencies have accountability to federal, state, local, and their own internal investigative groups, let’s not forget the media and community.
Example: union president arrested by her office; on a probable cause arrest? No DA approvable or a warrant issued by a judge. The DA’s Office separately investigated and cleared him, and the DA stated ” he never should have been arrested.
Another costly program? No thank you. There is enough review in place.
Review Process available to review law enforcement conduct.
Board of Supervisors ( SMC )
County Executive Office
County Attorney’s Office
ICAC
Federal Agencies:
US Attorney General
US Attorney: NDC
US Department of Justice; Civil Rights Division
FBI
State of California
State Attorney General
Depart of Justice
Police Officer Standards and Training
San Mateo County DA Office
Sheriff’s Office
Professional Standards Office
Court Systems
Federal, State jurisdiction’s
( civil suits)
Media
Community
That’s a lot of over-site.
Thank you
Rob:
the board of supervisors is not always to be counted on. Witness when Munks and Bolanos were caught in a bordello featuring underage girls. They then lied to the FBI about their identities. If a deputy had done that, you and I both know they would have suffered severe consequences. Did the board of supervisors do anything about it? Not a damn thing. And in fact the DA said to Munks, “to those that matter” it didn’t matter. Chief law enforcement officer of the county. Yeah, we can really count on the board of supervisors and the DA to take appropriate action every time can’t we? And the FBI sure took care of business in that case too didn’t they? NOT.
You’ve lived in this county long enough to know exactly how corrupt it is.
I didn’t see a US Attorney General, the State Attorney General, the DOJ or P.O.S.T. Doing anything in that case either. Nor, did the SO’s office of professional standards. I didn’t see anything happen in the court systems either.
It was all over the media. That had no effect, see the above. There were many of us in the community pi**ed off at the lack of accountability. That didn’t do any good either. We were even more angry when the board of supervisors played games so they could appoint Bolanos Sheriff.
So, no, that’s not a lot of oversight. It SHOULD be a lot of oversight, but as has been demonstrated in the past, IT IS NOT.
An office independent from the political corruption of this county is needed.
It appears you are not informed. You are referring to elected office holders that have been elected, over and over again. Sheriff Corpus is gone. System worked. Yet, many many court cases still pending on both sides. Very disappointing. Do you think an Inspector General could have changed the outcome of this mess?
An Inspector General might have stopped it sooner. There were early signs and complaints about Corpus that could have and should have been investigated.
By the way the Under Sheriff is not an elected position, so Bolanos could have been dealt with by an Inspector General. But, you already know that, right?
Metro Voter:
Let’s meet for coffee. We can fully discuss this and many issues. Specially the criminal Justice system is very complex. You use the words ” maybe/ could have? Looking in the ” rear view mirror”, are not the answers.
Oh there was federal and state review, yet, the state used the SMC DA’s Office and federal, did interview some sheriff employees.
As many times before I made this offer, since you know me, why not meet? I’m on my 4th term on the fire district, contact me, I’m for open transparency; are you?
Rob:
I’m ex law enforcement. I know how the criminal justice system works. Intimately.
Metro Voter:
That’s a no then. I’m disappointed.