Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Prime Minister of Yemen’s Houthi Government Killed in Israeli Strike

1 day ago

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Law Redrawing Congressional Maps

2 days ago

US Air Force will Offer Military Funeral Honors to Slain Capitol Rioter

2 days ago

US Republican Senator Joni Ernst Will Not Run for Re-Election, CBS News Reports

2 days ago

Wall Street Falls as Dell, Nvidia Drive Tech Losses

2 days ago

US Denies Visas to Palestinian Officials Ahead of UN General Assembly

2 days ago

Minneapolis Children Revealed Courage, Absorbed Fear During Church Shooting

3 days ago

Ford Recalls Nearly 500,000 Vehicles Over Brake Fluid Leak

3 days ago

Fresno-Bound Passenger Says Delta Attendant Slapped Him, Seeks $20M

3 days ago
As Police Departments Struggle to Find Officers, Some Cadets Exit Fresno Police Academy
TLBBHMAP3-U010ALB5ANM-348f959abae2-512-300x300-1
By Jim Jakobs, Digital Producer
Published 5 years ago on
September 3, 2020

Share

Social justice issues are having a direct impact on training and recruiting new sworn peace officers in the Central Valley.

In fact, the Clovis Police Department hasn’t filled a single sworn position all year. And, the Fresno Police Department is having a tough time finding qualified diverse candidates.


Listen to this article:


Despite the pandemic, a new class of police cadets recently started their 25-week training at Fresno City College. Masks, social distancing, and hand sanitizer have kept the program mostly immune from COVID-19. The Fire Academy is also on campus, as are a handful of other in-person classes.

After just a few weeks, the Police Academy has lost 15 cadets. Early exits aren’t unusual, but the reasons behind these departures are out of the norm. Academy leadership attributes some of the departures to the country’s social climate after high-profile police shooting cases such as George Floyd and Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

One cadet told GV Wire℠ that her family is scared about her going out onto the streets of Merced, but she’s persevering anyway.

Fresno Police Academy Challenges

“We did have a couple of cadets that just decided that the world is just a little crazy, it just doesn’t really have that appeal that it used to.” — Timothy Hahn, Fresno City College Police Academy coordinator

“Typically most of the individuals that come into this profession understand what they’re getting involved with,” said Fresno City College Police Academy coordinator Timothy Hahn.

“Obviously with some of the major incidents that have occurred in the United States, whether it be a George Floyd or Jacob Blake incident, they can have an impact on a cadet and what they’re going to have to do in the future and what they’re going to have to deal with.”

He said that cadets are well aware of the intense debate about policing in America.

“If anything, I feel like sometimes they become more committed. They want to make a difference,” Hahn said.

Still, the current class started with 56 cadets. It’s down to 41.

Fresno City College Police Academy cadets during a class on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020. (GV Wire/Jim Jakobs)

Hahn says he and his instructors do not shy from talking about the difficult issues, including police ethics and professionalism.

“That’s one of the core things we discuss at the beginning,” said Hahn.

He says for people that just want to “try” the police academy, they typically start the coursework and don’t last very long.

“Not because we ask them to leave, but they start to realize the gravity of the position they’re going to tackle and they make the decision themselves that this is probably not the best thing for them,” said Hahn.

“We did have a couple of cadets that just decided that the world is just a little crazy, it just doesn’t really have that appeal that it used to,” said Hahn.

Ninety-six cadets graduated this summer despite COVID-19. During the pandemic, only one cadet has contracted COVID-19. He quarantined for a couple of weeks and is now back in class.

Police Cadet Feels Family Pressure

“It’s a dramatic change for my family. I get a lot of concerns about safety. They (family) want me to have a long life, as do I.” — Marissa Bolanos, Police Academy cadet

Cadet Marissa Bolanos already has a job lined up with the Merced Police Department.

GV Wire℠ asked her what she thought about recent incidents in the country.

“I think it’s kind of devastating, to be honest. I was shocked that people just all of a sudden have chosen a career to hate,” Bolanos answered.

“It doesn’t make me not want to be a cop,” she said. “Certain communities, they still do back their police officers, so it makes being in the academy worthwhile still.”

Does she have any reservations about law enforcement as a career?

“This is something I knew that I wanted to do for a while. When I put my mind to something, I’m going to do it,” said Bolanos. “My reason for doing it is, I know I can help people”

Bolanos said that she respects everyone’s right to a political opinion, but she urges everyone to think twice when they see a police officer.

“Flag a cop down, have a conversation with them and you’ll realize not every officer is bad,” she said.

But Bolanos’ family is concerned about her becoming the first in their family to be sworn in as a police officer.

“My family is a little more timid,” she said. “It’s a dramatic change for my family. I get a lot of concerns about safety. They (family) want me to have a long life, as do I.”

She wants to be a sergeant someday, but her first goal is a K9 handler.

Clovis Police Department

“I can’t share exact numbers, but I can tell you that 90% of the applicants during the past 6 months have been disqualified.”  Lt. Jim Munro, Clovis Police Department 

The Clovis Police Department says it’s seeing fewer applications compared to years past. Public information officer Lt. Jim Munro also says it’s fair to say the quality of applicants has dropped as well.

“We are finding that drug use and background issues are becoming quite a problem when trying to hire the best people out there,” Munro said by email. “I can’t share exact numbers, but I can tell you that 90% of the applicants during the past 6 months have been disqualified.”

In 2016, Clovis PD hired seven sworn police officers. In 2017, that number dropped to six. Nine were hired in 2018 and, in 2019, the department hired only two.

“In 2020, we have yet to hire a qualified candidate,” said Munro.

The department has nine open positions and continues to interview through COVID-19. However, some of the positions are frozen because of the pandemic’s squeeze on the city budget.

Fresno Police Department

“The bias (against officers) starts with a child. Now adults are asking them why they’d want to get into law enforcement with the way things are now.”  Sgt. Paul Zarasua, Fresno Police Department recruit unit supervisor

“Bring me the candidates!” says Sgt. Paul Zarasua, recruit unit supervisor for the Fresno Police Department.

The department’s goal is hiring officers reflective of the community they’ll serve. But, says Zarasua, “Getting enough diversity is difficult.”

He points to the cadets at the academy as proof of what he’s saying. He says there’s one African American, three Asian Americans, and about five female candidates.

He believes part of the problem is that stereotypes about officers are more magnified in today’s frenzied political climate.

“The bias (against officers) starts with a child. Now, adults are asking them why they’d want to get into law enforcement with the way things are now,” said Zarasua.

Couple that attitude with the need to maintain high hiring standards and you get a picture of the challenge for police recruiters.

“Our community demands it of us. We process many applicants, they just have a hard time meeting our standards,” Zarasua said.

 

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Garnet Fire Grows to 18,748 Acres in Sierra National Forest

DON'T MISS

US Judge Blocks Deportations of Unaccompanied Migrant Children to Guatemala

DON'T MISS

Israel Pounds Gaza City Suburbs, Netanyahu to Convene Security Cabinet

DON'T MISS

Thousands in Australia March Against Immigration, Government Condemns Rally

DON'T MISS

Trump Says He Will Order Voter ID Requirement for Every Vote

DON'T MISS

Greta Thunberg Joins Flotilla Heading for Gaza With Aid

DON'T MISS

Chicago Mayor Says Police Will Not Aid Federal Troops or Agents

DON'T MISS

Post-War Gaza Plan Sees Relocation of Population, ‘Digital Token’ for Palestinian Land: Washington Post

DON'T MISS

Labor Day Quiz: Do You Know What a Knocker-Upper Is?

DON'T MISS

Bulldogs Check All the Boxes in Runaway Win Over Georgia Southern

UP NEXT

Thousands in Australia March Against Immigration, Government Condemns Rally

UP NEXT

Dollar Trades Lower With Fed Cut In View, On Course For Monthly Drop

UP NEXT

Visalia Semi Crash Injures Amazon Truck Driver After Red Light Collision

UP NEXT

A Goodbye Love Note to My Dog: Remembering My Best Friend Harriet

UP NEXT

Fresno County Garnet Fire Expands to 17,561 Acres, 8% Contained

UP NEXT

Lawsuit Links CA Teen’s Suicide To Artificial Intelligence

UP NEXT

Fresno Spotlight: Lawsuit in Killing of Homeless Man by Deputies Will Go to Trial

UP NEXT

Fresno County Needs Election Workers for November Redistricting Vote. Apply Now

UP NEXT

Hearing Ends Without Ruling On Trump’s Firing Of Fed Governor Cook

UP NEXT

Gov. Newsom Launches New Task Force To Clear CA Homeless Encampments

Thousands in Australia March Against Immigration, Government Condemns Rally

5 hours ago

Trump Says He Will Order Voter ID Requirement for Every Vote

5 hours ago

Greta Thunberg Joins Flotilla Heading for Gaza With Aid

5 hours ago

Chicago Mayor Says Police Will Not Aid Federal Troops or Agents

5 hours ago

Post-War Gaza Plan Sees Relocation of Population, ‘Digital Token’ for Palestinian Land: Washington Post

5 hours ago

Labor Day Quiz: Do You Know What a Knocker-Upper Is?

6 hours ago

Bulldogs Check All the Boxes in Runaway Win Over Georgia Southern

16 hours ago

Judge Blocks Pillar of Trump’s Mass Deportation Campaign

1 day ago

Classic Cars Will Still Need a Smog Test in California After Lawmakers Reject Jay Leno Bill

1 day ago

Visalia Driver Arrested for DUI After Multiple Crashes and Pedestrian Injured

1 day ago

Fresno County Garnet Fire Grows to 18,748 Acres in Sierra National Forest

A lightning-sparked wildfire, the Garnet Fire, in the Sierra National Forest has burned 18,748 acres in Fresno County and remains at 8% cont...

5 hours ago

Photo: USDA - Forest Service Tanker 40 at Fresno Air Attack Base. The Fresno County Garnet Fire in the Sierra National Forest has burned 18,748 acres and is 8% contained as crews make progress on containment lines while bracing for possible thunderstorms early this week. (Sam Wu/USFS)
5 hours ago

Fresno County Garnet Fire Grows to 18,748 Acres in Sierra National Forest

U.S. flag and Judge gavel are seen in this illustration taken, August 6, 2024. (Reuters File)
5 hours ago

US Judge Blocks Deportations of Unaccompanied Migrant Children to Guatemala

Smoke rises from Gaza after an explosion, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, August 31, 2025. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
5 hours ago

Israel Pounds Gaza City Suburbs, Netanyahu to Convene Security Cabinet

Demonstrators hold a banner during the 'March for Australia' anti-immigration rally, in Sydney, Australia, August 31, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams
5 hours ago

Thousands in Australia March Against Immigration, Government Condemns Rally

President Donald Trump walks on the grounds of the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, U.S., August 30, 2025. (Reuters/Nathan Howard)
5 hours ago

Trump Says He Will Order Voter ID Requirement for Every Vote

Activists Yasemin Acar, Greta Thunberg and Thiago Avila attend a press conference before the departure of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian expedition to Gaza, at the port of Barcelona, Spain August 31, 2025. (Reuters/Eva Manez)
5 hours ago

Greta Thunberg Joins Flotilla Heading for Gaza With Aid

National Guard troops wear gas masks during protests against federal immigration sweeps, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 12, 2025. (Reuters File)
5 hours ago

Chicago Mayor Says Police Will Not Aid Federal Troops or Agents

A view of tents sheltering Palestinians displaced by the Israeli military offensive, in Gaza City, August 23, 2025. (Reuters File)
5 hours ago

Post-War Gaza Plan Sees Relocation of Population, ‘Digital Token’ for Palestinian Land: Washington Post

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend