The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors today (Nov. 12) appointed Former Santa Clara County Undersheriff Ken Binder to replace fired sheriff Christina Corpus.
Four of the five supervisors voted for Binder while Supervisor David Canepa supported former San Francisco Assistant Police Chief David Lazar.
Corzo said she believes Binder will be a sheriff the county can trust, which was a slogan Corpus used when she ran for sheriff in 2022, “a sheriff you can trust.”
“All the candidates are all very well qualified,” said Supervisor Lisa Gauthier. “But behind the scenes one stands out more than the others, and that will be Ken.”
The board leaned toward Binder dues to his past experiences in the jails and helping rebuild a sheriff’s office in turmoil, as well as his commitment to not work with federal immigration authorities.
The Board of Supervisors replaced Corpus, who was accused in a corruption scandal. Her undersheriff, Dan Perea, had been helming the ship after her firing on Oct. 14, but he has resigned.
Binder said previously he would want to have former Undersheriff Chris Hsiung and former Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan as part of this team. His brother is Palo Alto’s police chief, Andrew Binder.
Binder said he would fill vacancies and has a list of promotions to make if appointed. He also said he wanted to review the standing polices to make sure they are in alignment with the community’s expectations and internal affairs investigations.
Canepa voted for Lazar, saying he has concerns about Binder’s role in various scandals in the Santa Clara County’s office over the years, including previous sheriff Laurie Smith resigning shortly before a jury convicted her of trading concealed carry weapons permits for campaign contributions, iPads and concert tickets. Canepa also raised concerns about deaths in the Santa Clara County jails.
Binder rebutted that he felt that he was one of the only people in the Santa Clara County’s sheriff’s administration who brought stablity and integrity to the office despite the multiple scandals. Binder said that he had been initally passed over as undersheriff when Smith promoted Rick Sung, who was ultimately indicted in the CCWs scandal. A mistrial was declared in Sung’s initial trial in May. He is set to appear in court on Dec. 8.
Binder got the support of the sergeants union, with Sgt. Jonathan Sebring telling the board to go with Binder because he has a reputation of rebuilding trust.
The deputies union did not endorse a candidate because of the short time frame they were given to look into their backgrounds, but said they look forward to working with Binder.
The county tried to do multiple types of background checks on the sheriff applicants, but hit a roadblock with Lazar, who did not submit his paperwork for one of the more intensive background checks until this morning. Deputy HR Director Michelle Kuka told the supervisors that multiple people on her team had reached out to Lazar over the last week to complete the background check.
When asked about his tardy response to the background check, Lazar said he’s been busy. His response comes after over 30 people testified at the board’s Monday meeting and spoke about how reachable Lazar was as assistant chief in San Francisco.
Canepa favored Lazar because of his experience managing budgets and the positive testimonies to Lazar’s work from those who know him.
The other supervisors were impressed with Lazar’s career at SFPD and outspoken support from members of the public. But the majority of the board could not look past his lack of experience in managing jails and the differences between policing San Francisco and San Mateo County.
“The jail is not a holding cell,” said Supervisor Ray Mueller. “The challenges are far, far greater with more demand and responsibility … Ken Binder has the proven experience in a larger jail system.”
— from staff and Bay City News reports
More details will be posted here, be sure to pick up tomorrow’s Post for the full story.
Excellent choice! He will erase the stain of Corpus and her minions! He will have a stellar command staff and bring the office back to its greatness!
Ken Binder! LFG!
This is great news however, this also highlights an issue with the board of supervisor President CANEPA he relentlessly went after Binder and treated other candidates differently. Also went against the union’s choice of a sheriff, which has to speak volumes to the people of the county that he has a mission for himself and himself only What a shame for a BOS president to sell his soul .
From the start, it was clear Canepa was aligned with Team Lazar.
Canepa was shameful in his questioning of Binder. As noted, Canepa even criticized the deputies union for their selection. I hope voters and organized labor remember this when Canepa runs for the next elected office. Maybe “little” Dave should run for office in SF, given the way he chose to kiss their collective arses.
The BOS (minus Canepa) got it right. Lazar, 30+ years at SFPD, stressed to the BOS, a number of times, the Sheriff’s Office would not be molded into “SFPD 2.0.” Honesty, how could he throw away and ignore the shackles of SFPD’s culture and SF’s politics which is the foundation of his LE career.
Canepa showed clear bias when interviewing Lazar (who he gave softball questions pretending to be tough) vs interviewing Binder who he treated like a defendant. Once it was clear Binder was the choice Canepa coward down and pretty much sucked up to him. Little do people know that Canepa and Lazar are boys which is why the extreme bias treatment against Binder.
Lazar is retired and spent his entire career in SF. When asked Lazar spends less than 25% of his time in San Mateo County only to see his mom and go to a few appointment annually. Lazar would have to come out of retirement and clearly he would have to have a current background check- pneumonia he must be concerned about to just start at the last minute possible. Obviously there are some issues already public with Lazar hearing about the lights and sirens accident. As well as his public controversy to reduce training at SFPD to get people working in uniform as quickly as possible. The Sheriff office doesn’t need an experiment. Thank God the Board members listened and got this right.
The only candidate that had Sheriff office experience and has worked his entire career in the peninsula is Binder. Listening to the accusations Canepa threw at Binder is purely biased snd based on someones opinion without facts. Binder worked under a corrupt sheriff for a time and was NOT involved in the Smith scandal.once Binder said he did not know about the behind the door issues Canepa should have stopped saying why did you work for a corrupt Sheriff knowing what she was doing and not quit like Hsiung? Well Canepa Hsoung was forced out and forced to quit- he would’ve stayed longer if Corpus didn’t tell him his last day was “tomorrow”…
Maybe the Board of Supervisor members should be asking themselves why they are working for a corrupt BOS President- in my opinion Canepa said he wanted a general election (ie perhaps to gain Bolanos supporters and campaign funds) and now Lazar ( perhaps more political connections)… Canepa you have shown a side to you that is politically motivated and money driven not someone with ethics and integrity. Go home to your family a take a good look in the mirror at who you have become – take a step back from the greed snd money behind your decisions. The choices in front of you were BLATANTLY CLEAR to everyone in the public and everyone around you. Last night Canepa said Binder told him I look forward to working with you President Canepa and that was a class act. Maybe take notes and start becoming a class act yourself!
Welcome back Chris Hsiung!!
Turns out the Instagram blogger “Sammiamm” was completely wrong when he said on October 7 that the Daily Post was wrong in saying “Christy would remain sheriff for two weeks if the BOS votes to remove her.”
Sammiamm demanded that the Post correct itself. “Christy will NOT remain in office after she is fired.”
Turns out Sammiamm was completely wrong — she remained for another 14 days. Sammiamm he should be correcting himself. But I don’t expect that from an anonymous blogger. I see the Post runs corrections when it’s wrong, but this Sammiamm clown never will. Don’t believe BS you see on the internet.
Ummm..you need to check your facts Pauly J. She did not remain in office for another 14 days after being fired – she retired the same day. It was agreed upon that the county would wait 14 days before making a decision which included either having an election or making an appointment.
If Binder is anything like his bro police Chief Andrew Binder in Palo Alto, SMC is in very good hands.
When I heard Canepa give a shot out to the United Playaz and state that Shamann Walton called him directly to make sure he voted for Lazar, I knew Canepa was bought and paid for. Canepa stands on no moral ground and will align himself with people and politicians that can benefit his political career. His aggressiveness towards Mueller is so unprofessional. Total little man complex.
I’m happy that people got to see firsthand what Canepa really is.. a slick back door politician who will sell out for his SF buddies . Do you wanna talk about a good old boys club ? just look at him. I never trusted him.
Binder was an excellent choice.
Ken Binder’s extensive law enforcement background,
particularly his experience in Santa Clara County, should bring
a balanced approach to the San Mateo Sheriff’s Office.
His focus on community trust and transparency could be pivotal
in restoring confidence after recent leadership changes .
Interestingly, research shows that consistent leadership during transitional periods can significantly improve departmental
morale and effectiveness.
The supervisors override the voters, with enthusiastic voter approval, to hold a special election, Measure A, to allow county supervisors to remove the sheriff, and have the jurisdictional authority to appoint (not elect) a new sheriff. They will not hold another concurrent follow-up election to allow voters to choose a new sheriff. Canepa is the least of our concerns. As far as we know, Canepa doesn’t live in Idaho, Arizona, Texas, or North Carolina.
At least we are concerned with the former “sheriff” that CREATED THIS ENTIRE MESS! After Measure A, more investigations, more legal fee, more court dates, more internal affairs reviews, more people getting retaliated against, more disarray- the least of our worries is any of the Board of Supervisors… the VOTERS approved MEASURE A and the choices made by them have been SOLID ever since.
Thank God – 4 of the board members are solid.. Canepa seems to be on a slippery slope of his own accord right now.