SPOTLIGHT
Every few weeks we will spotlight one of our commissioner/board members so you have an opportunity to get to know the Sheriff's Department Oversight Board board members.
This week we spotlight Vice President Xochitl Carrion.
Tell us a little about yourself:
For the past 15 years, Xochitl Carrion has served as a civil, criminal, and corporate attorney. Civil service is Xochitl’s calling. She has and continues to manage high-stakes legal cases and complex workloads under demanding timelines while serving in multiple community leadership roles and caring for her loved ones. Xochitl’s passion for helping others stems from her own complex trauma, such as seeing her father murder her mom when she was 3 years old. Growing up poor and being raised by an abusive grandmother made Xochitl want to change her life and that of others. Now, Xochitl lives a life she could have never dreamed of as a child – an empowered Latina with a beautiful queer familia who fights for justice day in- and-out and is surrounded by love, light, and hope.
Why did you want to become a commissioner/board member?
As a past prosecutor, I investigated and prosecuted San Francisco police officers and sheriff deputies. My specialized understanding of the criminal process, administrative procedures, decades of leadership experience, and deep commitment to transparency, accountability, and community-centered strategies led me to serve as the Vice-President of the SF Sheriff’s Oversight Board (SDOB) for two terms. I bring a unique set of skills and understanding of the law and wanted to share that with my San Franciscan neighbors.
What do you want to accomplish as a commissioner/board member?
I’m here to make sure the work gets done and it gets done right. I want to elevate and incorporate the voices of those impacted by the criminal justice system and develop forward-thinking solutions with community and subject-matter experts. I am used to being the only Queer person, the only Latina, the only survivor of crime on boards and executive positions. I recognize the fundamental need to connect diverse community perspectives and experiences to the decision-making process for the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office. Doing so will bring innovation, develop trust, and pave the path to a better system than what we have now. Let’s do this together!
And finally, since this is social media, a fun fact question: you have to sing karaoke, what song do you pick?
Gen X over here! My go to karaoke song is “What’s Going On” by 4 Non Blondes. Great song, and probably one of the few ones I can actually sing in public without hurting folks’ ears.
Thank you for letting us get to know you a bit better, Xochitl. We look forward to seeing great things from you and the Sheriff's Department Oversight Board!