Commission recommends permanent inspector general with subpoena power after public raises alarm over six jail deaths

The San Mateo County Independent Civilian Advisory Commission voted to forward final recommendations to the Board of Supervisors urging a clear, public process for replacing the sheriff if the board chooses to do so and calling for a permanent inspector general with subpoena power.

The commission’s action followed extensive public comment and a series of speakers who urged stronger civilian oversight of the sheriff’s office after what multiple speakers described as “six deaths in a year” in county custody. Jim Lawrence, chair of Fixing San Mateo County, asked the commission to “recommend to the board of supervisors to immediately establish a permanent inspector general's office.” Nancy Goodman, a Redwood City resident and Fixing San Mateo County member, said the county “needs secure clinical settings where people in crisis can be diverted” and urged permanent, independent oversight of the sheriff’s office.

Why it matters: Commissioners and dozens of public commenters framed the issue as both a public-safety and accountability problem. Speakers cited a string of recent deaths in county jails, described gaps in mental-health and diversion services, and argued that an independent inspector general could investigate patterns and accept complaints outside the sheriff’s chain of command.

Public testimony and requests: Community advocates, clergy and formerly incarcerated people described barriers to filing grievances, delays in medical attention, and limited access to diversion or treatment options. Bill Newell of the Coalition for Safer San Mateo County said the county had seen “another heartbreaking loss” and urged the commission to prioritize an independent review. Paul Bocanegra, a community advocate, said the county’s vote for regulation showed public demand for “change, safety and stability.” Jose Reyes, a resident who said he had been jailed and disabled, told commissioners he had been unable to get grievances addressed, saying, “When you're ill, file a grievance.”

Commission discussion and next steps: Commissioners said they wanted accurate, consistent data on the in-custody deaths before making further recommendations. Several commissioners asked staff to compile a list of specific data points to request from the sheriff’s office, including date, age, gender, race/ethnicity, length of custody at time of death, cause determinations, and any policy or procedural changes made after each incident. Emma (county staff) offered to circulate existing presentations and links and to ask the sheriff’s office for a formal briefing on the topics requested by commissioners.

Formal action: Commissioner Bill moved to adopt the subcommittee’s recommendations with edits to clarify that the Board of Supervisors should first decide whether to call a special election or to appoint a replacement, and to add that an inspector general be permanent and have subpoena power. A second was recorded and the motion carried; the chair said the edits would be finalized and circulated to the commission and staff for transmittal to the board.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to adopt final recommendations for the Board of Supervisors regarding post–Measure A plans (transparency and accountability; process to replace sheriff; creation of permanent inspector general with subpoena power): Passed (motion moved by Bill; second recorded; verbal aye vote; no recorded opposition). - Motion to approve meeting minutes from March 5: Passed (mover and second recorded; one commissioner abstained citing absence at the earlier meeting).

What the recommendations ask the board to do: The commission’s one-page recommendations call for (1) the Board of Supervisors to decide whether to replace the sheriff or call a special election and, if appointing, to implement a clear, transparent process with community input; (2) creation of a centralized public hub for candidate information; (3) mechanisms for community feedback on finalists; and (4) appointment of a permanent inspector general with subpoena power to receive complaints and investigate in-custody incidents.

Context and constraints: Speakers and commissioners repeatedly cautioned that the Board of Supervisors holds appointing authority and that state law controls some timelines for appointments or special elections. Commissioners noted the statutory 30-day window that applies if removal occurs and the need for the commission’s recommendations to be actionable within any legal timing constraints.

Ending: The commission chair said she would finalize wording with staff and post the recommendations and supporting materials online. Commissioners asked staff to compile the data questions raised during the meeting and to request a formal presentation from the sheriff’s office on deaths in custody and related procedures to inform future recommendations.