San Mateo County supervisors select Kenneth Binder as new sheriff

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (KGO) -- The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday to appoint Kenneth Binder as the county's next sheriff, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Sheriff's Office after more than a year of scandals that culminated in the ouster of former sheriff Christina Corpus.

Binder became the interim police chief in Gilroy this June after spending more than two decades in the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, where he worked his way up to the position of undersheriff. He also briefly served as acting sheriff in 2022 after former Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith retired early just before a civil grand jury convicted her of corruption and willful misconduct.

Just minutes after being appointed, Binder laid out his immediate goals for the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

"The first thing I want to do is stabilize the organization. So, I need to assemble an upper executive management team that has the trust of the organization and the community," Binder said.

Binder's Wednesday appointment comes after a difficult year, during which the county's board of supervisors removed Sheriff Christina Corpus following corruption allegations.

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Board members said Binder's appointment marks the start of an important new era for the sheriff's office.

"Today is a historic day," said Supervisor Noelia Corzo. "It's a day that our community has been waiting for since the corruption, retaliation, and abuses of power in the Sheriff's Office first came to light."

Two weeks ago, the board decided to appoint a sheriff to serve the remainder of Corpus' term, which ends in January 2029. The job application immediately opened the next day, and seven candidates were determined to meet the qualifications.

Three finalists were chosen following interviews with the board -- former San Francisco Assistant Police Chief David Lazar, Solano Community College District Police Chief Brian Wynn Huynh Travis, and Binder.

After three hours of public comment and final interviews with the candidates at Wednesday's meeting, every supervisor except for board president David Canepa voted in favor Binder.

RELATED: San Mateo Co. supervisors move to appoint new sheriff by Nov. 13 after removing Christina Corpus

"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 non-compliance with federal immigration authorities.

Additionally, his calm demeanor and endorsements from the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office unions were appealing factors.

The San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff's Association had previously decided not to endorse a candidate. But the San Mateo County Central Labor Council , a coalition of unions that includes the deputies' union, announced at the meeting its endorsement for Binder.

"Our professional staff sergeants, lieutenants and captains hope to work for Ken Binder," said the labor council's executive officer Julie Lind during public comment. "He knows what it takes to rebuild an organization while also supporting those who keep it running."

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"This process has not been an easy one. Every step forward has been coupled with difficult decisions and controversy, but we held firm," said Supervisor Noelia Corzo.

The vote on Binder's appointment wasn't unanimous.

Board President David Canepa expressed concerns over the incoming sheriff and preferred another candidate.

Binder comes to the department after serving as an undersheriff in Santa Clara County.

Some of Canepa's concerns stemmed from in-custody deaths of people in the South Bay. Speaking to the media afterwards, Canepa said he believed Binder answered his questions as best he could.

"I had a conversation with Mr. Binder. Two conversations. And Mr. Binder had said to me, 'I look forward to working with you, President Canepa,'" he said.

Canepa favored Lazar because of his experience managing budgets and the positive testimonies to Lazar's work from those who know him.

Several 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."

Binder said he's looking forward to beginning his new role. And as for the community he now serves, he sends this message:

"The Sheriff's Office is here to make sure that you feel safe in the community. That everyone feels safe. I want to make sure that we don't over-police. I want to make sure that we don't marginalize anyone, but that everyone gets professional police services," Binder said.

Binder will serve as sheriff until January 2029.

Bay City News contributed to this report