Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias is speaking on the sidelining of Police Chief Paco Balderrama — the first of his colleagues to go public with their thoughts.

In comments from the dais during Thursday’s council meeting, Arias asked the media to leave Balderrama’s family out of stories and openly questioned if Balderrama’s race is a factor in a decision by the administration of Mayor Jerry Dyer to place the chief on paid administrative leave.

Balderrama became the first Latino chief in Fresno history upon taking the job in January 2021.

Related Story: Fresno Police Chief Balderrama on Paid Leave, City Manager Says

“Our city has a well-documented track record of not taking personal action against white executive leaders that engage in extramarital affairs with city employees under their command,” Arias said. “I was continuously told that such behavior was not a personnel matter for the city. In short, the city had no business looking into the bedrooms of our city officials or employees as it relates to employment status, a position I fully support.”

City Manager Georgeanne White put Balderrama on paid leave Wednesday afternoon. The city is investigating Balderrama for “an inappropriate off-duty relationship he was involved in with a non-city employee.”

Although the city would not clarify, according to published reports, the alleged relationship was with the spouse of a Fresno police officer, lasting more than two years.

“Why is it a violation when an executive of color makes the same mistake with non-employees?” Arias said.

FPOA Met Wednesday

Arias also questioned the police union, Fresno Police Officers Association, for protecting its members for alleged misdeeds, but not standing up for Balderrama. Arias said several city unions, including FPOA, believe discipline for extramarital affairs is off limits.

“As a policy maker entrusted with ensuring policies are applied fairly to our employees, that is concerning,” Arias said.

Balderrama is a member of the union.

The FPOA executive board met Wednesday afternoon.

“The FPOA Board of Directors 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,” FPOA leadership said in a message to members.

The executive board added, “We believe this will restore stability to our department after a period of great turmoil.”

GV Wire is awaiting a response from FPOA on the statements by Arias.

Related Story: ‘All I Can Do Is Ask for Your Forgiveness,’ Fresno’s Top Cop ...

Arias Monitoring ‘From the Sideline’

Arias also said that he is concerned about litigation fallout. He says his office will monitor the Balderrama investigation “from the sideline.”

“If a double standard is applied for employees of color, I will bring forward a city policy to address how we handle extramarital affairs across all employee groups. I do not believe that government belongs in our doctor’s offices and our homes, much less than our bedrooms,” Arias said.

Mayor Dyer declined to comment.

Balderrama Scheduled for Atlanta Conference

Prior to his paid leave, Balderrama was set to attend Flock Forward, a police conference in Atlanta organized by Flock Safety — a public safety technology company.

“Chief Balderrama was scheduled to speak at our conference, but he will not be speaking and is not onsite,” a Flock Safety spokesperson told GV Wire, contradicting other local media published reports.

The conference hotel said Balderrama was not a guest there.

Police Brass Attends Council Meeting

Several members of police leadership attended the council meeting in support of Capt. Anthony Martinez, who is leaving the department to become Fresno State police chief. Mindy Casto, named acting chief by White, participated in the ceremony.

Balderrama’s name never came up.

Related Story: Fresno Police Union: Members Feel Betrayed, Trust Lost in Chief Balderrama