Fresno Police Chief Juan F. “Paco” Balderrama has resigned following an investigation into an alleged affair with a police officer’s wife.
“It is with a heavy heart and mixed feelings that we announce today the resignation of Fresno Police Department Chief Balderrama from the City of Fresno,” said the Mayor of Fresno. Jerry Dyer at a press conference Tuesday morning.
City Manager Georgeanne White said Balderrama turned in his resignation letter Tuesday morning. His resignation takes effect on July 25.
Deputy Chief Mindy Casto will serve as interim chief while a national search for a chief is conducted.
Dyer praised Balderrama’s accomplishments in the city of Fresno, but said the chief’s resignation was in the best interest of the community.
“We believe this firing of the chief is in the best interest of the community, the police department and our employees, as well as Chief Balderrama and the families involved, given the intense media scrutiny this matter has received,” Dyer said.
Dyer and White criticized local media coverage of the investigation, especially local news outlets SJV Sun, referring to local coverage as a “media circus.”
White criticized unsubstantiated allegations in The Sun’s reporting, particularly an allegation that Balderrama took advantage of his position to undermine the officer’s career moves.
“While I cannot go into the details of the investigation, I can say that this allegation was not supported and evidence to the contrary was presented,” White said.
“This does not excuse Chief Balderrama’s behavior with regards to inappropriate relationships, because, as he has stated, these actions cannot be justified or defended, and are the standards that he holds for himself and that we hold for the police chief of the city of Fresno,” she said.
This is a developing story.
