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By Jim Lawrence
San Mateo County Needs AB 1185 for transparent and accountable governance
Our San Mateo County Sheriff’s organization is in a state of disarray. The troubling challenges it faces cannot be ignored, and the Board of Supervisors must act now, and decisively to restore trust and ensure effective public safety for all residents.
The Board of Supervisors is responsible for public safety throughout the county. Given the ongoing issues within the Sheriff’s organization, it is imperative that the Board employ every tool available to uphold accountability and transparency. Among these tools is Assembly Bill 1185, which allows counties to establish a civilian oversight body for the sheriff’s office.
Adding AB 1185 to San Mateo County’s governance structure would provide critical benefits for both residents and Sheriff’s Office personnel. For residents, it would foster greater transparency and rebuild trust in law enforcement. For Sheriff’s Office personnel, the benefits are equally compelling:
- Clearer accountability: Oversight can provide structured feedback, ensuring officers and deputies are held to consistent standards while protecting them from unwarranted blame for systemic issues.
- Better resources and training: Oversight bodies often recommend improvements to training, technology, and other resources that can enhance officers’ ability to perform their duties effectively and safely.
- Improved morale: By establishing an impartial process to address complaints or concerns, oversight can create a fairer workplace environment, which, in turn, boosts morale.
- Strengthened community support: When the public sees their concerns addressed through civilian oversight, it fosters goodwill toward the Sheriff’s Office, creating a more supportive and collaborative relationship with the community.
This is not about creating conflict but rather about providing a framework for constructive collaboration and continuous improvement. AB 1185 is a tool to help law enforcement do its job better while ensuring public trust remains strong.
Our county has an opportunity to lead by example in creating a more equitable and effective public safety system. Implementing AB 1185 is not just a choice — it is a necessary step toward ensuring good governance and maintaining the integrity of our public institutions.
The Board of Supervisors must act now to prioritize the well-being of residents and law enforcement personnel, regardless of the recall measure. Let’s work together to build a San Mateo County where accountability and trust are the cornerstones of public safety.
Jim Lawrence is Foster City’s former mayor and board chair of Fixin’ San Mateo County.
