Public hearing at Redwood City chambers set to guide decision on new San Mateo County sheriff process

San Mateo County, California – On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors will host a special meeting to talk about how to fill the empty position of county sheriff. The meeting will be at 6 p.m. at the Board Chambers in Redwood City. Residents will be able to offer their thoughts on the process, the credentials, and the leadership qualities they think the next sheriff should have.

Because of the opening, county leaders are talking about whether to hire a new sheriff directly or hold a special election. The County Charter says that the Board has to make this decision by November 13. If the supervisors decide to hold an election, it would happen between 102 and 131 days after that. The Board may also decide to hold it on the same day as the primary election on June 2, 2026, to save money and get more people to vote.

David Canepa, the president of the board, stated that getting the public involved will be important in determining the conclusion.

“This meeting is a vital opportunity for community members to participate in shaping the future of public safety in San Mateo County,” said Board President David Canepa. “We want to ensure that the new Sheriff possesses the qualities and experiences that are most important to our residents.”

County authorities are asking residents, community groups, and other interested parties to come and share their thoughts. Public comment will be very important for the Board to learn what the community wants and needs from law enforcement that is effective and accountable.

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Redwood City, 500 County Center, is where the gathering will be held. People who couldn’t make it in person can watch the session live or later on the county’s public meeting site at https://sanmateocounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.

County officials believe that the decision is very important since the next sheriff will be in charge of important public safety duties and will affect how the department interacts with communities. The conversation is likely to set the tone for how the county will handle openness and working with the community in the future when it comes to law enforcement leadership.