A dispute brewing within the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office came to a head on Tuesday as many of the department’s rank-and-file officers publicly accused its leadership of creating a work environment gripped by “unease and retaliation” and refusing to negotiate over increased staffing and overtime requirements.
In a courtyard at the county government complex in Redwood City, the unions representing local sheriff’s deputies and sergeants urged Sheriff Christina Corpus to investigate claims of a toxic workplace and bring management to the negotiating table over the labor disagreements. Corpus was elected sheriff in 2022 on a reform-minded platform, with some deputies backing her opponent, incumbent Sheriff Carlos Bolanos.
“This disregard for employee well-being goes well beyond mere management oversight,” said Carlos Tapia, president of the San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. “It’s a violation of labor laws.”
Union leaders lay most of the problems at the feet of one man: Corpus’ chief of staff, Victor Aenlle. They’ve accused him of repeatedly berating and demeaning their members and claim he’s overstepped his civilian role by making decisions about the duties of sworn personnel. Attempts to reach Aenlle for comment Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Last week, 306 union members approved a no-confidence vote against Aenlle, while 12 opposed it. The Sheriff’s Office has about 800 law enforcement personnel.
The deputies’ union also filed three complaints last month with a state labor board, accusing Sheriff’s Office management of not negotiating over staffing and overtime mandates at the county jails, as well as claims of undercutting union leadership.
Meanwhile, the County Board of Supervisors announced last week it had authorized an independent investigation into “multiple personnel allegations” it’s received about the Sheriff’s Office. County officials have declined to share details about the investigation.
In a statement last week, Corpus dismissed the unions’ claims as a politically motivated campaign pushed by “special interests seeking to undermine my leadership” and “intimidate me into making personnel changes.” The Sheriff’s Office did not respond Tuesday to a request for comment.
In June 2022, San Mateo County voters elected Corpus, who unseated a local incumbent sheriff for the first time in decades. She became one of California’s first Latina sheriffs, as well as the first woman elected to the position in the county’s 166-year history.
In her statement, Corpus touted new accountability and transparency measures she’s enacted since taking office while claiming that “some of our efforts are being met with resistance.”
On Tuesday, union leaders blamed Corpus and Aenlle for endangering public safety by forcing additional deputies to work at the jails, leaving fewer on the street when the agency is already struggling with staffing shortages. They also accused Aenlle of a pattern of abuse against sworn officers and civilian staff who disagree with him, and of pressuring deputies to oust union leadership, though no members spoke at the news conference out of fear of retaliation, the unions said.
This isn’t the first time that Corpus has been at odds with one of the unions. Earlier this year, David Wozniak, a former acting sergeant and union president, sued Corpus and Aenlle, claiming he was demoted in retaliation for refusing to endorse Corpus ahead of her election.
Related Articles
Antioch: Georgia-Pacific union workers on strike for second day over pay negotiations
City employees seeking better pay, frustrated over slow progress on negotiations
4 charts that show how California counties spent $45 billion on employees last year
Fremont exploring a 2% raise for all cops
East Palo Alto residents organizing to fight for better living conditions
The ongoing lawsuit claims Aenlle was a “close friend” of Corpus who first was an adviser to her campaign before being named to her transition team as she prepared to take office. Once sworn in, Corpus hired Aenlle and promoted him to the newly created position of “executive director of administration,” according to the lawsuit.
It’s unclear whether Aenlle is a target of the county’s investigation into personnel complaints lodged by Sheriff’s Office staff. But county officials stressed the investigation is “distinct and separate” from complaints filed with the state labor board. The inquiry is being led by retired Santa Clara County Judge LaDoris Cordell, now a legal commentator and police reform advocate.
At Tuesday’s news conference, County Supervisor David Canepa, a staunch labor ally, declined to discuss the investigation. Instead, he urged Corpus to quickly resolve the concerns raised by the unions.
“We need a sheriff that we can trust,” Canepa said, “and trust only emanates from our employees.”
