After police chief resigns, here’s what Fresno city leaders say about Paco Balderrama

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Some city leaders expressed dismay over Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama’s resignation announcement Tuesday over an alleged affair with an officer’s wife, and thanked him for his service. Still, some said they felt relief that the city can now move forward following weeks of intense scrutiny into the chief’s conduct.

Balderrama, 47, has resigned effective July 25 without a severance package after a months-long investigation into whether he engaged in an off-duty inappropriate relationship and abused his power, city leaders said in a press conference Tuesday.

Two high-ranking city officials confirmed to The Bee last week that officer Jordan Wamhoff alleged Balderrama had passed him over for a promotion so the chief could more easily continue an affair with his wife. Wamhoff is also a member of the Madera County Board of Supervisors.

City officials have acknowledged an affair took place but have not given any names of the people involved. Fresno City Manager Georgeanne White said Tuesday that the investigation was completed and that the allegation that Balderrama leveraged his position to undermine an officer’s career was “not sustained.”

At Tuesday’s news conference, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer thanked Balderrama for his accomplishments as police chief over the past 3½ years, particularly for the reduction in violent crimes, for his advancement of technologies, partnerships with local law enforcement and the recruitment and hiring of around 300 officers.

“We wish Paco and his family the very best in his future endeavors, as I do all of those involved in this unfortunate situation, and that goes for both of the families,” Dyer said.

Dyer said that maintaining trust with subordinates would have been difficult following the investigation.

“Having served as a Police Chief for 18 years in the city of Fresno, I know how difficult it is to maintain the trust of police officers and the community. In this particular case, it would have been even more difficult for Chief Balderrama to be able to maintain that trust of his officers,” he said.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Balderrama said serving as police chief in Fresno was “the privilege of a lifetime” and praised the Fresno Police Department and Fresno community for its support.

“I have no doubt that this group of hard-working and compassionate police officers and professional staff will continue to thrive and do great things. This is the right time for me to step away and focus on my faith and family. I love you,” he said.

Paco Balderrama Statement by Melissa Montalvo on Scribd

The Fresno Police Officers Association thanked the city for the “deliberation and prudence” in handling the investigation.

“The FPOA agrees with the City that Paco Balderrama’s resignation is best for all parties involved,” the statement said.

Wamhoff could not be immediately reached for comment.

In an email statement, Wamhoff’s attorney Brian Whelan called Balderrama’s resignation a “victory.” He also said recent media reports “misrepresented” efforts to resolve this issue without litigation.

“These efforts included a request to honor a 2022 agreement in which Balderrama promised my client a specific position within the department. Balderrama later reneged on this agreement in a bid to further his extramarital affair, a clear violation of professional and ethical standards. Although the city’s investigation — funded by the city — did not officially uphold the allegation that Balderrama abused his authority to assign this position to another officer, his resignation stands as undeniable evidence of his misconduct and breach of public trust,” the statement said.

Paco Balderrama Resignation Statement by Melissa Montalvo on Scribd

Resignation ’expected but sad’

Council President Annalisa Perea referred The Bee to her email statement, in which said she had a “heavy heart” acknowledging the chief’s resignation.

“As leaders, we must embody the principles of accountability and trust,” Perea said. “We recognize the pain and disruption this situation has caused and are committed to moving forward with integrity and transparency. Our focus now is on healing and rebuilding the trust that has been shaken.”

Miguel Arias, District 3 councilmember, called Balderrama’s resignation “expected but sad,” and also said some of the chief’s “opponents within the Fresno police union are guilty of the same inappropriate behavior.”

Arias accused those opponents of making Balderrama’s alleged affair a standard for termination for the chief, but not for themselves.

“It is sad for the children and spouses that a handful of adults chose to weaponize this situation for personal and political gain,” he said.

Arias also previously raised questions about the city’s handling of Balderrama’s alleged affair, cautioning against potential discrimination because of the chief’s Mexican American ancestry.

“The first Latino chief in a Latino majority city and Latino majority police force — all those ‘firsts’ have resulted in being expected to perform at a standard that has never been applied to folks at similar positions in city government,” Arias told The Bee on Tuesday. “It’s a reminder for people of color that we are not giving the grace of making the same mistakes that white leaders have consistently made and were forgiven for — and as a result, have been promoted to the highest offices in the area.”

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‘We can move on now as a community’

City Vice President Mike Karbassi, who represents northwest Fresno, said the city council members were not alerted before the news conference about Balderrama’s resignation.

“I’m disappointed, but I have to admit I’m relieved. We can move on now as a community,” he said. “People are still calling 9-1-1, and our police officers are responding to serve them, but this was hanging over them like a cloud.”

“That’s what make this so disappointing, because of his performance as police chief,” Karbassi added. “We’ve seen dramatic reductions in violent crime, and that’s not for nothing. That’s important.”

Karbassi praised Balderrama’s impact over the past three-and-a-half years. “When he came in, we were having a very difficult time recruiting new officers, and that’s turned around,” he said. “And our officers are probably better trained now than at any other time. There’s been a lot of positive change in the department.”

“Part of why this is so disappointing is that one foolish decision two years ago has led to this.”

Councilmember Garry Bredefeld agrees.

“Chief Balderrama made our already excellent police department even better and made our city safer. But he also made a terrible mistake which has resulted in his resignation,“ Bredefeld said in an email statement to The Bee.

“I’m very saddened by these events and pray for healing for those that have been hurt. Now as a city, we must move forward and find another police chief who will provide excellent leadership and make our police department even greater,” he said, adding that he has “no doubt that we will find the right person to provide that leadership.”

Councilmembers Tyler Maxwell, Luis Chavez, and Nelson Esparza could not be reached for comment.

Future chief search

City and nonprofit leaders weighed in on how the city should select the next police chief.

Karbassi complimented Deputy Chief Mindy Casto, who has been named interim chief, and said he didn’t think a national search for the next chief was necessary. City leaders estimate a national search could take four to five months.

“I would favor someone internal that has a reputation over the years that we can trust and is respected among the rank and file,” Karbassi said. “Whether that’s someone current, or someone formerly with the department, I think someone who is familiar to us is very important, given the circumstances.”

Not everyone expressed disappointment that Balderrama was on his way out.

Sandra Celedon, a longtime critic of the department and vice president of the inactive Fresno Commission on Police Reform criticized Balderrama for not engaging more with community groups and for not fully implementing all of the commission’s recommendations that would have “helped build a better relationship between the community and police.”

Celedon, president and chief executive officer of nonprofit organization Fresno Building Healthy Communities, also called on the city to convene a citizens’ advisory committee to help select the next chief.

“We need to get this right,” Celedon said.

Reporters Erik Galicia, Thaddeus Miller and Tim Sheehan contributed to this story.