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Fresno Police Auditor Leaving
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 8 years ago on
April 4, 2017

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Sources tell GV Wire that Rick Rasmussen, the Fresno’s independent police reviewer, will not have his contract renewed. His last day is May 1 April 30.

The city hired Rasmussen in 2012. However, he worked remotely from his Utah home, but would usually visit Fresno once a month. According to an ABC News story when he was hired, he earned $6,400 a month. He filed quarterly reports, reviewing police complaints and issuing recommendations.

The city’s website says, “the Office of Independent Review (OIR) work to strengthen community trust in the Fresno Police Department by providing neutral, third-party review of police policies, procedures, strategies, and internal investigations.

OIR works independently of the Fresno Police Department and provides the City’s leaders and the public with objective analysis of policing data, actions, and outcomes.”

The office’s duty was to review police complaints and perform audits for officer involved shootings. “The OIR does not conduct its own investigation but is given full access, monitors and contributes to the existing IA investigation. Once IA has completed its investigation the file is submitted to the OIR for audit,” Rasmussen described in his most recent report.

The reports would contain information about the number of complaints against police in the quarter and how they were resolved. He would also provide details of shooting incidents.

Last month, Mayor Lee Brand introduced his Citizen’s Public Safety Advisory Board, a nine-member board (along with five advisers). The goal, according to public documents is to “enhance trust, accountability and transparency and promote higher standards of services in the Fresno Police Department.”

At the March 16 council meeting, the elected body supported Brand’s idea by a 5-2 vote.

Part of Brand’s pitch was to hire a local independent reviewer. With Rasmussen’s impending departure, that goal is inevitable.

Contact David Taub

Phone: 559-492-4037 / e-mail

This story was not subject to the approval of Granville Homes.

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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