There’s a new sheriff in town, literally – and this one has made California history.
On June 7, 2022, San Mateo County elected its first female County Sheriff and California’s very first female Latina County Sheriff. Hugs, high fives and surely some loud gritos were heard across the state as Christina Corpus, former Captain of Police Services for the City of Millbrae, took a strong lead early in the race against the incumbent of four years in this unprecedented election and won.
“It is a badge of honor to be the first Latina woman to hold the office and make history,” says Corpus, “but this is not why I ran. It was the right time for me to step up and bring new leadership to the organization I grew up in that unfortunately was full of inequities. The need for change was in the air.”
And change she plans to bring – the sort of change the county deserves, she says. The former captain will lead with a comprehensive platform that includes compassion, engagement and innovation. Corpus cares and promises to encompass the many components missing between law enforcement and the community.
Corpus has deep roots in her jurisdiction and an extensive background in the field. A Bay Area native whose mother immigrated from Nicaragua and father from Mexico, she has lived her entire life in San Mateo County. Her career began 26 years ago with the district attorney’s office, twenty of those years with the county sheriff’s office. She started as a correctional officer where her deep understanding of people developed. She then diligently worked her way to headquarters commander, next overseeing the canine, bicycle, school resources, community engagement and field training program units and then most recently to her position as Millbrae Police Captain. “I love my job, I love serving my community and I love being a public servant,” says Corpus.
Her kind and confident demeanor gives you the feeling she really means that.
Corpus says she won this election because she has an ability to connect and inspire people, which resonated with the voters of San Mateo County and employees in the Sheriff’s Office. Her grassroots campaign was comprised of hardworking and passionate people who believed in her and knew they deserved better. “We didn’t set out to win a political race; we aimed to create a movement,” says Corpus. Her overall vision and message to the office and the community is she will listen and serve all the peoples of the County.
According to Police Chief Magazine, research that spans more than fifty years cites a deficit in the presence of women in policing in the United States as compared to other countries. It also well documents the benefits of the women in blue as they are consistently rated as trusted by their communities and motivated to serve in an era of decreased police legitimacy. They have high levels of interpersonal communication skills and are found to have a calming effect on male partners in stressful and dangerous assignments, resulting in fewer police deaths. They may also increase the public’s willingness to cooperate which produces safer public outcomes. Corpus knows all of this firsthand.
“Without a doubt, my compassion and ability to connect with people from all walks of life enables me to have a deeper connection and view issues from a human level,” she says, as she believes empathy and understanding need to be at the forefront of her profession. Meeting people where they are and helping all to succeed and thrive in the force and the community is her goal.
Corpus believes women have the ability to look at things from a different perspective that is overlooked and undervalued in this male-dominated field. “The bottom line is as a woman, I care,” says Corpus, “and the people in my organization and community will benefit from my transparency, good heart and the fact that I have the ability to put others first. This is why I ran for Sheriff of San Mateo County. This is what the people deserve.”
But above and beyond the significance of her win for women, Corpus is fully aware of the impact on Latina women. “This win means everything to me, but the inspiration it provides for young Latina women is the most rewarding aspect,” she says. “I tear up every time a young woman approaches me and says I inspire her.” She went on to say the most important person she has inspired is her daughter and wants her to know that whenever someone tells you “you can’t,” make it the fire that pushes you to work harder.
This race was written as the David and Goliath story. She knew it would be no easy task to accomplish for the underdog. But Corpus says it further showed Latina women we can achieve our dreams regardless of the obstacles in our way, with hard work, tenacity, and perseverance. “Anything is possible when you put your mind, heart, and commitment into something,” she says. “It validated when I have been told it is “Impossible,” that “I’m possible.” Thank goodness, she says, that she did not listen to the voices of opposition throughout her life and instead stood up and fought for what she felt was right. Now she’s able to hold her head high, all 5’2” of her, as she holds one of the highest offices in the land while making history.
As Corpus continues to transition into the new job, she accepts the expected challenges and meets them head on with grit, tenacity and the utmost professionalism. She is already working to improve the culture of the office with stakeholder engagement and programs to help deputies better serve community members with mental illness, wellness support for officers, de-escalation training, immigration issues and collaborative work. All is in an effort to prove to the community that officers are good people who are truly in it to serve and protect.
Corpus will make an effort to be visible in the community. With confidence that is fueled by her faith in God and her vast experience, she looks forward to making sure people know who she is, what she stands for, what their concerns are and that yes, there is a new sheriff in town – and it’s going to be better for everyone.