Newly appointed San Mateo County Sheriff Ken Binder introduced Chris Hsiung as his first decide on his govt staff, taking an undersheriff place he had previous to his resignation beneath Sheriff Christina Corpus following disagreements along with her management.
Hsiung’s return comes as Binder assumes management of an company nonetheless recovering from a divisive interval that culminated in Corpus’ removing by the Board of Supervisors final month over allegations of battle of curiosity and retaliation. Corpus denies the allegations and is pursuing authorized challenges and appeals associated to her removing.
The undersheriff was amongst dozens of witnesses who testified towards Corpus throughout her removing listening to final August, which led listening to officer retired Choose James Emerson to advocate her ouster.
In response to an announcement from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Workplace, “Hsiung returns to the Sheriff’s Office at a pivotal moment following a period of significant transition.” His appointment will likely be momentary, anticipated to final about eight months, specializing in “organizational healing, leadership development and operational excellence.”
Hsiung’s appointment is momentary as a result of he takes a depart of absence from his position as govt director of The Curve, a nationwide nonprofit he co-founded with inspirational speaker Simon Sinek targeted on policing points, based on a press launch. He’s a founding board member and can resume his duties after finishing his time period as undersheriff.
He’s a 30-year regulation enforcement veteran. Hsiung spent 28 years with the Mountain View Police Division, serving as chief for his last two years, earlier than retiring and becoming a member of the Sheriff’s Workplace in February 2023, from which he resigned in June 2024.
Binder mentioned Hsiung brings stability, expertise, and familiarity with the company.
“I’m thrilled that Chris Hsiung is coming back to serve as undersheriff. Not only is Undersheriff Hsiung a respected law enforcement leader, but he brings a deep understanding of the Sheriff’s Office and a genuine commitment to the men and women who work here,” Binder mentioned. “Undersheriff Hsiung is a servant leader, a person of integrity, and we share a similar management style. His experience and values will help guide us as we continue to move forward.”
Hsiung mentioned he hopes to assist Binder regular the group.
“The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office has extraordinary deputies, correctional officers and professional staff who all have deep community ties,” he mentioned. “It is an honor to support them during this critical time of renewal. My focus over the next several months will be to help foster an innovative and supportive culture, invest in the people who serve here, and support Sheriff Binder in ensuring the Office is positioned for long-term success.”
Binder additionally mentioned he plans to rehire former Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan, who was let go by Corpus final 12 months earlier than the county intervened in his termination.
Monaghan, a longtime San Mateo Police Division official and former Tiburon police chief, is at present main a county initiative on human trafficking.
Throughout removing hearings in August, Corpus cited Monaghan’s insubordination as the rationale for his termination. Monaghan, nonetheless, mentioned his removing was tied to his involvement within the November 2024 investigation into her management, authored by retired Choose LaDoris Cordell, which first raised allegations of battle of curiosity and retaliation towards Corpus and triggered the occasions that in the end led to her ouster.
Each Monaghan and Hsiung have assist from native civic organizations.
Nancy Goodban, govt director of the citizen-led watchdog group Fixin’ San Mateo, mentioned she helps restoring former govt employees.
“He is bringing back the well-respected executive team of former Undersheriff Chris Hsiung and former Assistant Sheriff Ryan Monaghan. And he has pledged to look to further promotions from the ranks,” Goodban mentioned. “It seems as though these moves will help to build morale and facilitate teamwork.”
