Who Is The New San Mateo County Undersheriff?

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — Sheriff Kenneth Binder announced Monday who will serve as his undersheriff in San Mateo County and it's someone who previously held the position.

Chris Hsiung will come out of retirement to reassume his role as the undersheriff of San Mateo County.

"He brings a deep understanding of the Sheriff’s Office and a genuine commitment to the men and women who work here," Binder said. "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."

His appointment will be temporary and is expected to last approximately eight months, focusing on “organizational healing, leadership development and operational excellence,” Binder said in a statement Monday.

Hsiung previously served in the same role from February 2023 until June 2024. Previously, he was the Chief of Police at the Mountain View Police Department, where he worked for over 28 years.

Since his retirement, Hsiung had been working as the executive director of The Curve, a nonprofit organization focused on police practices, where he is a founding board member.

"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,” Hsiung said.

A longtime SMC resident, Hsiung is a graduate of Hillsdale High School. His policing career began locally as a Police Explorer at the Foster City Police Department, and he previously served as a two-term Community Relations Commissioner for the City of San Mateo.

The SMC Board of Supervisors named Binder the new sheriff Nov. 12 after voting to remove Sheriff Christina Corpus on Oct. 14.

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