City auditor Gary Blackmer has appointed a Portland deputy district attorney from two blocks down the street as the new director of the city’s Independent Police Review, after what he claims was a “national search:”

Portland City Auditor Gary Blackmer announced the hiring of Mary-Beth Baptista as the new Director of Independent Police Review. Baptista has been a Deputy District Attorney in Multnomah County for over seven years, and previously worked as an Outreach Coordinator for the Sierra Club.

“She is very experienced working with victims, she knows investigations, and she is an excellent communicator,” Blackmer said. “Her expertise is exactly what we need to ensure fair and thorough investigations of complaints, to work with the community, and to identify ways the Portland Police Bureau can improve its services.”

A national search was conducted to fill the position, and finalists were interviewed by an 8-member panel, including several members of the public. Leslie Stevens, the previous director, was hired by the Portland Police Bureau to oversee its new Office of Professional Standards. Baptista starts in her position on May 29.

As a prosecutor, Baptista is used to representing the police side in court cases. Her “experience working with victims” is therefore limited to crime victims in her most recent role, whereas often, those filing complaints against the police are alleged criminals themselves.