By Khalida Sarwari
The San Jose City Council has appointed LaDoris Hazzard Cordell, a retired Santa Clara County Superior Court judge, as the city’s new independent police auditor.
Mayor Chuck Reed said today that Cordell was chosen for her experience and record of community service, and for being “an all-around great person.”
Reed and council members made the announcement at a news conference this afternoon.
A hearing will be held April 27 to set Cordell’s salary and benefits. She is expected to begin work in late May, replacing acting independent police auditor Shivaun Nurre.
Cordell recently retired from her role as vice provost and special counselor to the president for campus relations at Stanford University. She is a former superior and municipal court judge, and served on the Palo Alto City Council from 2004 to 2008.
Cordell said she will generally work within guidelines established by voters but that she will also try to “push the limits a little more.”
“This job is defined. I don’t view it as a negative thing, I view it as a positive thing,” she said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for me to return to the community and do something positive.”
She said she intends to work collaboratively with all parties including the City Council, the San Jose Police Department and the people who live and work in the city.
Cordell said she will explore the idea of mediation between the community and police and will clarify public misconceptions about the office of the independent police auditor.
“I’m going to be an auditor who’s going to be out there talking to people,” Cordell said. “I care very much about the concerns of the community and the concerns of the Police Department.”
The independent police auditor role involves carrying out objective reviews of police misconduct investigations and conducting public outreach. Based on her reviews of complaints against police officers, Cordell will make recommendations about the department’s policies and procedures.
Human resources firm Avery & Associates led the recruitment process, which was completed Jan. 22 and garnered nearly 50 applications.