Redwood City – The County of San Mateo today published the advertisement for a new sheriff through a process emphasizing transparency, accountability and public participation.
Applications will be accepted until noon Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Candidates must live in San Mateo County and meet state requirements for the position, including holding a valid certificate from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, or demonstrating relevant education and experience.
The job description and recruitment process reflect direction from the Board of Supervisors and feedback from nearly 100 residents who shared their views at a special meeting Tuesday, Oct. 28, on how the next sheriff should be chosen and what qualities matter most.
The County announced the public process that will play out over the next two weeks, including multiple public meetings during which the candidates will be interviewed and one ultimately selected for the role of Sheriff. The process includes a public candidate forum, for which the public may already start submitting questions they would like to see candidates answer. As suggested in Tuesday’s meeting, applicants will be asked to submit a short video, photo and written summary of their interest in the sheriff role, and their leadership philosophy, which will be made public as part of the selection process. Public participation and details on the candidates themselves is facilitated on a new county website: smcgov.org/ceo/new-sheriff
Specifically, community participation opportunities in the selection process include:
- On Thursday, Nov. 6, supervisors will hold a public meeting to interview all qualified candidates and identify a number of finalists.
- On Monday, Nov. 10, a public Candidates Forum will be held, during which a moderator will ask Finalists questions submitted by residents. The forum will be in person and live streamed.
- The Board will conduct final interviews and make a final selection at a public meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
More information about the appointment process, including meeting times and locations and opportunities for the public to provide input, will be posted on the County’s website and shared on social media platforms.
Under Section 415 of the County Charter, the Board must appoint a new sheriff by Nov. 13, 2025.
About the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office:
The Sheriff’s Office has more than 800 sworn and civilian personnel who provide law-enforcement services throughout the county, including contract services for Caltrain, SamTrans, the Cities of San Carlos, Half Moon Bay and Millbrae, and the towns of Woodside and Portola Valley. The Office also provides investigative services at San Francisco International Airport and oversees the County’s correctional facilities.
As the County’s chief law-enforcement officer, the sheriff is responsible for all Sheriff’s Office operations — from patrol and investigations to corrections, rehabilitation and reentry programs, emergency response and specialized units such as search and rescue, narcotics enforcement and bomb disposal.
Effie Milionis Verducci (she/her)
Interim Director, Strategic Communications
San Mateo County Executive’s Office
650-407-4915 C
everducci@smcgov.org