Policies and Procedures

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Policy Manual is a living document, which is subject to regular revisions and updates based on legislative changes, case law development, and identified best practices. The online version of this manual posted on the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office website will be reviewed at least annually to reflect revisions/updates from the previous year.

 

Operations

San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Lexipol Policy Manual 2026

POLICY STATEMENT

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Policy Manual serves as the foundation for how we carry out our public safety mission. It establishes clear expectations, guides sound decision-making, and reflects the evolving legal landscape and the principles of modern policing.

Policy alone, however, is not enough. When paired with professional training and continous learning, these standards help equip each of us with the tools and judgement required to serve with excellence. We are entrusted with providing ethical, professional, and responsive service to the communities we serve and as such, each member of this Office is held to the highest standards of conduct and accountability by both the Sheriff and the public we are sworn to serve.

Employees are expected to use this manual, in conjunction with Lexipol Daily Training Bulletins (DTBs), to remain informed, current, and aligned with the standards and expectations of this Office. Together, these policies reflect not only what we do, but who we choose to be as professionals and public servants in our role in keeping our communities safe.

Kenneth Binder, Sheriff
November 12, 2025

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Corrections

San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Corrections Procedures Manual 2026

POLICY STATEMENT

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Policy Manual serves as the foundation for how we carry out our public safety mission. It establishes clear expectations, guides sound decision-making, and reflects the evolving legal landscape and the principles of modern policing.

Policy alone, however, is not enough. When paired with professional training and continous learning, these standards help equip each of us with the tools and judgement required to serve with excellence. We are entrusted with providing ethical, professional, and responsive service to the communities we serve and as such, each member of this Office is held to the highest standards of conduct and accountability by both the Sheriff and the public we are sworn to serve.

Employees are expected to use this manual, in conjunction with Lexipol Daily Training Bulletins (DTBs), to remain informed, current, and aligned with the standards and expectations of this Office. Together, these policies reflect not only what we do, but who we choose to be as professionals and public servants in our role in keeping our communities safe.

Kenneth Binder, Sheriff
November 12, 2025

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Military Equipment Policy and Report

San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Lexipol Policy 705 Military Equipment

Military Equipment

705.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the approval, acquisition, and reporting requirements of military equipment (Government Code § 7070; Government Code § 7071; Government Code § 7072). 

705.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include (Government Code § 7070): 

Governing body – The elected or appointed body that oversees the Office. In the case of the Sheriff's Office, "governing body" means the Board of Supervisors of the county.

Military equipment – Includes but is not limited to the following: 

  • Unmanned, remotely piloted, powered aerial or ground vehicles.
  • Mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles or armored personnel carriers.
  • High mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWV), two-and-one-half-ton trucks, five-ton trucks, or wheeled vehicles that have a breaching or entry apparatus attached.
  • Tracked armored vehicles that provide ballistic protection to their occupants.
  • Command and control vehicles that are either built or modified to facilitate the operational control and direction of public safety units.
  • Weaponized aircraft, vessels, or vehicles of any kind.
  • Battering rams, slugs, and breaching apparatuses that are explosive in nature. This does not include a handheld, one-person ram.
  • Firearms and ammunition of _.50 caliber or greater, excluding standard-issue shotguns and standard-issue shotgun ammunition.
  • Specialized firearms and ammunition of less than_.50 caliber, including firearms and accessories identified as assault weapons in Penal Code § 30510 and Penal Code § 30515, with the exception of standard-issue firearms.
  • Any firearm or firearm accessory that is designed to launch explosive projectiles.
  • Noise-flash diversionary devices and explosive breaching tools.
  • Munitions containing tear gas or OC, excluding standard, service-issued handheld pepper spray.
  • TASER® Shockwave, microwave weapons, water cannons, and long-range acoustic devices (LRADs).
  • Kinetic energy weapons and munitions.
  • Any other equipment as determined by a governing body or a state agency to require additional oversight.
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2025 Annual Military Equipment Report

2025 Annual Military Equipment Report for the period of May 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025

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