Public participation shapes outcome as Ken Binder becomes leader of San Mateo County’s largest law enforcement agency
San Mateo County, California – After a public process that lasted for weeks and got plenty of attention and engagement from the community, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has chosen Ken Binder to be the next sheriff. After the Board’s vote, Binder took the oath of office and officially became the 27th Sheriff of San Mateo County. He is now in charge of the county’s largest law enforcement agency.
The open position led to a number of special meetings, each designed to let the public take part in every step of the decision. Residents were told to watch candidate interviews, join a community forum, and ask questions or make comments online and in person. Hundreds of people had already taken part in the process by the time the supervisors voted, which showed a clear commitment to openness and inclusion.
People in the Board Chambers cheered when they heard that Binder, who used to be a high-ranking officer in the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, had been hired. Supervisors said that his background, record of leadership, and steady attitude to public safety made him the best candidate during what many called a very important time of change for the Sheriff’s Office.
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Supervisor Ray Mueller said that the appointment was a turning point and that the department now has an opportunity to recover stability and trust. Supervisor Noelia Corzo agreed and publicly told Binder to keep the trust the community had in him. Other supervisors praised his abilities to bring locals together and make the office more credible again. President David Canepa was the only one to vote for another candidate, although he later said he was excited to work with Binder as the department moves forward.
Binder has decades of experience, including time as Interim Chief of Police in Gilroy and a lengthy time in Santa Clara County, where he advanced to the position of Undersheriff. There, he was in charge of a budget of $551 million and about 1,900 workers. He also has advanced degrees and graduated from the FBI National Academy.
In his new job in San Mateo County, he will be in charge of more than 800 sworn and professional staff who serve almost 750,000 people. The Sheriff’s Office patrols many cities and unincorporated areas, runs the county’s jails, directs criminal investigations, and oversees special task forces that look into issues including drug use, car theft, and gang activity. It also manages volunteer groups and makes sure that search and rescue operations go smoothly.
The hiring process for Binder’s job started on October 29 and ended on November 5. On November 6, six applicants were interviewed in front of the public. Then, on November 10, three finalists took part in a moderated forum. In all, locals asked about 400 questions and more than 140 people made live public remarks. Outreach included multilingual media and community partners, which led to thousands of visitors to the website and people attending in person or online.
Binder will lead the Sheriff’s Office through a new chapter that is based on openness, community trust, and a renewed focus on accountability. Binder will serve through January 2029.
