Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama is now on paid leave as of Wednesday afternoon, City Manager Georgeanne White said in an email to police employees Wednesday afternoon.

White also said that Deputy Chief Mindy Casto “will have operational control” of the department immediately.

Last week, Mayor Jerry Dyer’s administration announced it had launched an investigation into Balderrama for “an inappropriate off-duty relationship he was involved in with a non-city employee.”

According to published reports, the alleged relationship was with the spouse of a Fresno police officer, lasting more than two years.

“In light of the intense public scrutiny surrounding the administrative investigation and the best interest of all parties involved, Chief Balderrama will be placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation,” White wrote in the email.

City Attorney Andrew Janz’s office is conducting the investigation, using an outside investigator. Janz on Wednesday did not have an updated timetable of when the investigation will be complete.

In an email message to its members, the Fresno Police Officers Association’s executive board said that it “agrees with the city placing Chief Balderrama on paid administrative leave pending the conclusion of their investigation” and that it “is in the best interest of all parties involved.”

Added the FPOA executive board: “We believe this will restore stability to our department after a period of great turmoil.”

City spokesperson Sontaya Rose declined to comment about Balderrama being placed on paid leave. And, Balderrama declined to comment as well.

Balderrama Publicly Vowed to Stay

Just hours earlier, Balderrama held an impromptu news conference, vowing to remain on duty.

“I am human. I am imperfect. I work extremely hard. So I plan on continuing to lead this police department to even greater heights,” Balderrama said outside Fresno City Council chambers.

Balderrama had earlier appeared in front of the city council for budget hearings.

The police union, the Fresno Police Officers’ Association, held an emergency executive meeting Wednesday afternoon.

FPOA President Brandon Wiemiller declined to comment about the meeting discussions.

Read the City Manager’s Email