“You are not welcome.”
That was the message San Francisco Police Officers Association President Tracy McCray sent to embattled San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus in a strongly worded letter dated Friday, Feb. 21, and sent via email, barring her from attending an event intended to honor women in law enforcement.
Less than two weeks before a special election that could grant the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors power to remove her, Corpus allegedly confirmed her attendance at the union’s “SFPD Women on Patrol” event. The association responded to Corpus stating, “This letter serves as notice you are not welcome at the SFPOA’s event.”
“Our evening will focus on the positive impact women have made in the SFPD, specifically from patrolling our neighborhoods,” McCray said in the letter. “These women honored the badge, honored the profession, and served as role models for young girls who wanted to go into law enforcement to serve their communities. Your presence is an affront to their legacy.”
Union spokesperson Dustin DeRollo told this news organization the union is unsure why Corpus reportedly confirmed her attendance, as she was not officially invited.
“Ms. Corpus did not get an official invite from the SFPOA,” DeRollo said. “We assume someone else forwarded the invite to her, and we are figuring out who did so we can make sure there’s no confusion on our position.”
Multiple attempts to reach Corpus for comment went unanswered.
McCray’s letter to Corpus was scathing.
“We are a union that is sickened by your lust for power — so strong that you would use that power to arrest the president of the union who represents your deputies,” McCray wrote. “Please do not come to our event. This celebration is not about you. Do the right thing for once, respect the contributions of these women, stay home on March 5, and work on your résumé.”
In a separate statement to the Bay Area News Group, McCray stood by her letter barring San Mateo’s first Latina sheriff from attending.
“She really needs a reality check if she thinks we would host someone who abuses the power of their office to arrest a union leader for no purpose but their own political protection and gain,” McCray said. “That’s the behavior of a third-world dictator, not a community’s chief law enforcement officer. Not on my watch.”
McCray was referring to the arrest of Carlos Tapia, the San Mateo County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association president, last November for alleged timecard fraud.
In December 2024, San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe declined to pursue charges against Tapia.
Tapia’s arrest came weeks after the sheriff’s union publicly accused Corpus of corruption, misconduct, and an allegedly inappropriate relationship with her former chief of staff, Victor Aenlle.
On the same day, retired Judge LaDoris Cordell, an independent police auditor, released her over 400-page report, which found basis for the majority of accusations leveled against Corpus.
Ongoing tensions between the sheriff and law enforcement unions have prolonged the political fight over her leadership. Corpus, who faces a special election in March that is estimated to cost about $3.8 million, has refused to step down.
“The politically motivated and misleading rhetoric taking place is only a distraction,” Corpus previously told this news organization.
Amid the legal battles surrounding Corpus, the Bay Area News Group first reported that county officials had been in contact with the FBI regarding allegations of widespread misconduct among the sheriff’s department’s top brass.
If Corpus is removed via the special election, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors would have 30 days to appoint a replacement or call a special election. If the board fails to act, the county elections officer will call the election, according to the San Mateo County charter.
Even if the measure fails, Corpus could still face other removal efforts, including a civil grand jury investigation or a direct recall election. Supervisors previously discussed these options as methods to remove her when they censured Corpus and called for her resignation last November.
Corpus’ term as sheriff ends in 2028.
In addition to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, six cities in the county have either voted no confidence in Corpus or expressed support for the special election. State and federal congressional leaders representing San Mateo County have also called for her ouster.