The Board of Supervisors has accepted the certified results of a special election granting them authority, albeit temporarily, to remove a sheriff from office for cause. The special election, which occurred on March 4, saw the passing of Measure A with a landslide 84 percent of the vote. As reported by the County of San Mateo, this measure amends the County Charter until the end of 2028, stipulating that the sheriff can be ousted for several specific reasons, including legal violations, neglect of duties, misuse of public funds, falsification of documents, or interference with investigations.
But before anyone starts making guesses about the sheriff's future, there are steps and procedures to follow. This isn't going to be an overnight event. The amendment will come into effect on April 18, 2025, 10 days after the Board gave the green light to the election results. From there, the process to potentially remove the sheriff is a multi-step affair involving written notices, conferences, and hearings, all open to public scrutiny should the sheriff not object. The proposed procedures, which could be adopted at a later Board meeting, require a notably high four-fifths Board vote at several junctures to move forward with the removal.
Should the Board initiate the removal, they must notify the sheriff with a written Notice of Intent to Remove that lays out the grounds and schedules a pre-removal conference. According to the particulars set by the County of San Mateo, as found in their announcement, the sheriff is entitled to respond at this conference. Afterward, a recommendation is made to the Board on whether to proceed with the removal. The sheriff can appeal, leading to a full evidentiary hearing with chances to call witnesses and issue subpoenas. The final verdict rests in the hands of the Board after a hearing officer issues an opinion, which the Board considers before voting.
