San Mateo Labor Council demands Sheriff Corbis resignation over leadership failures

The City Council of San Mateo convened for a special meeting on February 6, 2025, to address pressing issues concerning local law enforcement and public safety. The meeting featured a series of public comments advocating for significant changes in the leadership of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

The first speaker, a representative from the sheriff's office, expressed gratitude for the council's attention to a resolution aimed at addressing concerns within the department. The speaker emphasized the urgent need for change, citing a pervasive atmosphere of fear and demoralization among staff. They urged the council to pass the resolution that evening, highlighting the critical nature of the situation.

Julie Lind, representing the San Mateo Labor Council, followed with a strong endorsement of the resolution. She articulated the collective frustration of over 95,000 union members and their families regarding Sheriff Christina Corbis's leadership. Lind pointed to an independent investigation that revealed issues of secrecy, intimidation, and abuse of power within the sheriff's administration. She criticized Corbis for failing to take responsibility for these findings and described the current leadership as not only ineffective but dangerous.

Lind also referenced the controversial arrest of Carlos Tapia, the president of the Deputy Sheriffs' Association, which had been deemed unlawful by the District Attorney. Despite this, she noted that Sheriff Corbis continued to use internal affairs to target Tapia, keeping him on administrative leave. Lind stressed that the implications of these leadership failures extend beyond the sheriff's office, affecting public safety across the county and its cities.

The meeting underscored a growing call for accountability and reform within the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, with community members urging the council to take decisive action in support of the resolution. The council's decision on the matter remains to be seen, but the discussions highlighted a critical moment for law enforcement leadership in the region.