Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Embattled Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama Resigns: 'Right Time for Me to Step Away'
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 5 months ago on
June 25, 2024

Fresno City Manger Georgeanne White said at a Tuesday morning news conference that Police Chief Paco Balderrama has resigned. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Fresno City Manger Georgeanne White said at a Tuesday morning news conference that Police Chief Paco Balderrama has resigned.

Mayor Jerry Dyer praised Balderrama for his accomplishments in Fresno while also saying that the chief’s resignation was in the best interests of the city and the police department.

The city will conduct a national search for Balderrama’s successor, Dyer and White said.

Until that hire is made, Deputy Chief Mindy Casto will continue as interim chief, Dyer said.

The mayor also said that there’s no reason why Balderrama couldn’t serve as a police chief of another city “and I expect him to do so.”

Balderrama Placed on Leave on June 12

The city placed Balderrama on paid leave on June 12, after reports of an inappropriate relationship surfaced. White subsequently named Casto as acting chief.

While the city has characterized it as an “off-duty relationship he was involved in with a non-city employee,” GV Wire later learned that Balderrama allegedly carried on an affair for more than two years with the wife of a police officer under his command, Jordan Wamhoff.

Multiple sources told GV Wire that Wamhoff’s attorney is negotiating with the city for a resolution. Wamhoff is an elected member of the Madera County Board of Supervisors and a former vice president of the Fresno Police Officers Association.

Balderrama’s ‘Unethical Behavior” Is Reason for His Departure: Officer’s Attorney

Attorney Brian Whelan of Fresno, who said he represents “the aggrieved” officer issued a statement on Balderrama’s resignation Tuesday afternoon.

“Today marks a significant victory for justice and integrity within the Fresno Police Department as Chief Paco Balderrama resigns from his position,” Whelan said. “This resignation is a direct result of the courageous actions of my client, who bravely stepped forward in February to expose the misconduct and breaches of trust perpetrated by Balderrama.

“My client’s fortitude has not only brought relief to himself but also to the numerous Fresno Police officers who have been betrayed by Balderrama’s actions. Any attempt by the city to spin this resignation as anything other than Balderrama facing the consequences of his misconduct is a misrepresentation of reality.

“The reality is clear: Paco Balderrama’s own unethical behavior is the reason for his departure. It is deeply regrettable that it took media scrutiny, rather than decisive action and a commitment to police ethics and moral clarity, to spur the city’s decision-makers into action.”

Balderrama’s Statement

Paco Balderrama Resignation Statement

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

City of Fresno Buys Half of Eldorado Park in Strategic Maxwell-Led Move

DON'T MISS

GOP Picks up Key House Seats While Democrats Say They Still Have a Path to a Majority

DON'T MISS

Costa Expands Lead Over Maher, Richardson Holds Narrow Edge on Bonakdar

DON'T MISS

Clovis’ Measure A and Sanger’s Measure M Get Good News with Thursday Vote Update

DON'T MISS

President-Elect Trump Has Sweeping Plans. Here’s What He’s Proposed.

DON'T MISS

New Look Basketball Bulldogs Open at Home. How Will They Fare Under Walberg?

DON'T MISS

Americans Seek Fresh Start Abroad as Election Sparks Expat Interest

DON'T MISS

President-Elect Trump Names Susie Wiles as Chief of Staff

DON'T MISS

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Foe of Drugmakers and Regulators, Is Poised to Wield New Power

DON'T MISS

California Beat Trump in Court His First Term. It’s Preparing New Cases for His Second.

UP NEXT

GOP Picks up Key House Seats While Democrats Say They Still Have a Path to a Majority

UP NEXT

Costa Expands Lead Over Maher, Richardson Holds Narrow Edge on Bonakdar

UP NEXT

Clovis’ Measure A and Sanger’s Measure M Get Good News with Thursday Vote Update

UP NEXT

President-Elect Trump Has Sweeping Plans. Here’s What He’s Proposed.

UP NEXT

Americans Seek Fresh Start Abroad as Election Sparks Expat Interest

UP NEXT

President-Elect Trump Names Susie Wiles as Chief of Staff

UP NEXT

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Foe of Drugmakers and Regulators, Is Poised to Wield New Power

UP NEXT

California Beat Trump in Court His First Term. It’s Preparing New Cases for His Second.

UP NEXT

Former Fresno State Bull Rider, a Vietnam Vet, Calls Central Valley Honor Flight ‘Life-Changing’

UP NEXT

Questions About Sexual Orientation and Gender ID on Track to Be on US Census Bureau Survey by 2027

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

Clovis’ Measure A and Sanger’s Measure M Get Good News with Thursday Vote Update

8 hours ago

President-Elect Trump Has Sweeping Plans. Here’s What He’s Proposed.

9 hours ago

New Look Basketball Bulldogs Open at Home. How Will They Fare Under Walberg?

9 hours ago

Americans Seek Fresh Start Abroad as Election Sparks Expat Interest

9 hours ago

President-Elect Trump Names Susie Wiles as Chief of Staff

10 hours ago

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Foe of Drugmakers and Regulators, Is Poised to Wield New Power

10 hours ago

California Beat Trump in Court His First Term. It’s Preparing New Cases for His Second.

10 hours ago

With Mountain West Title Out of Reach, What Is Fresno State Playing For?

11 hours ago

Former Fresno State Bull Rider, a Vietnam Vet, Calls Central Valley Honor Flight ‘Life-Changing’

12 hours ago

Don’t Expect Kamala Harris’ Loss to Boost Gavin Newsom’s Presidential Prospects

12 hours ago

City of Fresno Buys Half of Eldorado Park in Strategic Maxwell-Led Move

The city of Fresno now owns a new park. Or at least half of it. Technically, the city of Fresno did not own El Dorado Park, at Barstow Avenu...

7 hours ago

7 hours ago

City of Fresno Buys Half of Eldorado Park in Strategic Maxwell-Led Move

The U.S. Capitol is seen from Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)
8 hours ago

GOP Picks up Key House Seats While Democrats Say They Still Have a Path to a Majority

8 hours ago

Costa Expands Lead Over Maher, Richardson Holds Narrow Edge on Bonakdar

8 hours ago

Clovis’ Measure A and Sanger’s Measure M Get Good News with Thursday Vote Update

9 hours ago

President-Elect Trump Has Sweeping Plans. Here’s What He’s Proposed.

9 hours ago

New Look Basketball Bulldogs Open at Home. How Will They Fare Under Walberg?

9 hours ago

Americans Seek Fresh Start Abroad as Election Sparks Expat Interest

Trump co-campaign manager Susie Wiles is seen at Nashville International Airport as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives, July 27, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP File)
10 hours ago

President-Elect Trump Names Susie Wiles as Chief of Staff

Search

Send this to a friend