Lt. Mark Stichter, 714.904.7042, MKStichter@ocsd.org; Carrie Braun, 714.552.5795, CBraun@ocsd.org
OCSD Welcomes Constitutional Policing Advisor Mary Izadi
SANTA ANA, Calif. (August 16, 2016) – Sheriff Sandra Hutchens has hired Mary Izadi as the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s first Constitutional Policing Advisor. Ms. Izadi was selected from a group of well-qualified applicants by an outside panel of constitutional policing experts after an open recruitment process. The panel included Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Irvine School of Law, Robert Gerard, attorney and former Orange County Bar Association President, and Laurie Levenson, professor at Loyola Law School.
As the Constitutional Policing Advisor, Ms. Izadi will advise the Sheriff on best practices, policies and procedures, provide guidance on personnel investigations and disciplinary matters, review investigations for objectivity and thoroughness, evaluate current training, provide input regarding critical incidents, and perform research and analysis in regard to precedents, case trends, rulings and laws affecting law enforcement and custody operations.
“I look forward to the contributions that Mary will make to the department,” said Sheriff Sandra Hutchens. “I am impressed by her background and know that she will bring a vital perspective.”
Ms. Izadi brings a wealth of experience as a former Deputy District Attorney for the County of San Bernardino, Calif. She graduated from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and has extensively studied Constitutional Law. She has significant experience advising law enforcement on matters pertaining to procedure in criminal investigations, court proceedings and best legal practices.
“I am excited about the Constitutional Advisory position and to continue my career in the law and justice community,” said Ms. Izadi. “As a longtime resident of Orange County, I have a vested interest in assisting the department in maintaining trust and respect between law enforcement and the residents of Orange County. In my training and experience as a Deputy DA in San Bernardino County, I always maintained a focus on the ethical practice of law. In my opinion, doing the right thing is not optional. I will continue to be vigilant in maintaining the highest ethical standards in this role.”