Behind the Badge
The Tustin Police Department promoted a 29-year veteran of the agency to lieutenant and swore in two new police officers at a ceremony on July 18 in the City Council Chambers.
Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg swore in Lt. Andrew Birozy, Officer Andrew Stephens, and Officer Christopher Peterson with an audience of family, friends, and colleagues cheering them on.
“It’s a long road to get hired as a cop,” Greenberg said. “It’s even tougher to continue your career and get promoted. It means a lot to all of them.”
Tustin Police Officer Andrew Stephens’ son, Huxley, pats his father’s new badge after having it pinned to his uniform by his wife, Mindy, during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Birozy is an Orange County native who grew up in Yorba Linda and graduated from Canyon High School in 1989. At age 19, Birozy joined the Tustin Police Department as a dispatcher.
In 1994, he was sworn in as a police officer and subsequently worked as a K9 handler, crimes against persons detective, and gang detective. Since his promotion to sergeant in 2007, Birozy has worked in patrol, professional standards, and criminal investigations. He’s now a lieutenant assigned to the Professional Standards Division.
Tustin Police Lt. Andrew Birozy has his new lieutenant badge pinned to him by his family during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Birozy thanked his co-workers for their support over his nearly three decades with the Department.
“You truly had a huge part in my success during my time in this organization,” he said.
He also thanked Deputy Chief Jeff Blair for his mentorship throughout his career.
“One thing I respect about Deputy Chief Blair is that he was always honest with me, even when it hurt and I will always appreciate that,” Birozy said.
Tustin Police Officer Christopher Peterson has his new badge pinned to him by his mother, Faith, during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Stephens comes to the Tustin Police Department with 12 years of experience in the Army National Guard. The Illinois native was hired by the Irvine Police Department as a recruit and graduated from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Academy in January 2018.
He was hired by the Tustin Police Department earlier this month and is assigned to the Patrol Division.
“This experience so far has been absolutely wonderful,” Stephens said. “I’m looking forward to serving this department and this community.”
Tustin Police Officer Christopher Peterson stands with Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg, right, and his mother, Faith, after receiving his new badge during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Stephens’ wife, Mindy, lifted their 2-year-old son, Huck, to pin the new badge on his dad after Stephens was sworn in.
Peterson grew up in Upland where he graduated from Upland High School before attending the University of La Verne. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology in 2015.
In 2016, Peterson graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Academy and was later hired as an L.A. County deputy sheriff. He was hired at the Tustin Police Department earlier this month and is currently working patrol.
Tustin Police Officer Andrew Stephens’ son, Huxley, applauds after his father received his new badge from his wife, Mindy, left, during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin Police Officer Andrew Stephens stands with Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg, right, his wife, Mindy, and his son, Huxley, after receiving his new badge during a swearing-in ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
