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Mayor Dyer Addresses Police Chief Search, Immigration Raids, High-Speed Rail
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 months ago on
January 29, 2025

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer speaks at the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation breakfast, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (GV Wire/David Taub)

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Three candidates remain of several that applied to become Fresno’s next police chief, Mayor Jerry Dyer told Politics 101.

Only one finalist is internal, Dyer confirmed. Current Interim Chief Mindy Casto previously said she applied. Dyer would not mention who the two external candidates are, or which cities they now work for.

Casto became acting then interim chief last summer when the city placed Paco Balderrama on leave for reports of having an affair with the wife of an officer under his command. He later resigned.

She has support from the police union and City Council President Mike Karbassi. Major crimes such as homicides are significantly down over the last four years, Dyer said.

Dyer said there might be a fourth finalist as well. The dwindling number of candidates applying is a nationwide trend, Dyer said.

“In talking to the recruiter, the level of interest for the police chief job across the country has diminished significantly. Where they used to get for a major city … 40 or 50 applicants, now, it’s not uncommon to get less than 20. And that’s what happened in Fresno as well,” Dyer said, after a speech Wednesday morning to the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation.

The next step is still being determined, Dyer said. It will likely include panel interviews, but nothing has been established.

Dyer on Immigration Raids

Dyer spoke at FAHF’s monthly breakfast at the Fort Washington Golf and Country Cub, touching on the city’s accomplishments in his first term as mayor. They included public safety, his Beautify Fresno program, and fixing potholes.

“I’m not pulling police officers from our neighborhoods — keeping people safe — to go out and deport farm workers. I’m just not going to do that.” — Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer

He answered a question from the audience about why Fresno police will not conduct or help with federal immigration raids.

Dyer said he does not want anyone to live in fear or live in the shadows. He reiterated his policy that the city — police or other staff — will not inquire about anyone’s immigration status.

He admits his stance has led to criticism and anger from some supporters.

“I’m not pulling police officers from our neighborhoods — keeping people safe — to go out and deport farm workers. I’m just not going to do that,” Dyer said to a round of applause from the 100-plus people at the event.

He said that anyone suspected of a crime, whether from Fresno or not, should be arrested.

“We have to be careful not to say that we’re going to interfere with things that are going on, but that doesn’t mean we have to participate in them either,” Dyer said.

Dyer later added that Fresno police would assist to “prevent an injury to an ICE (officer).” He said that is normal procedure for most local police departments.

Mendota Mayor Victor Martinez (left) supports Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer’s immigration enforcement policy. (GV Wire/David Taub)

Dyer on Potholes, Pardons, High-Speed Rail

Other topics mentioned by Dyer or asked by Politics 101:

Answering a question about the long-delayed High-Speed Rail project, Dyer said, “When is Jesus coming?”

Pothole repair is good and going to get better, Dyer said. He will soon introduce another program called “Pave Now, Pay Later.”

Dyer said it’s  President Donald Trump’s prerogative to issue pardons for those convicted or charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, adding “I always question any time somebody overrules a judge. But, you know, that’s not my role here as a mayor to question whether or not a pardon is deserving or not. But I do think and the American public oftentimes questions that.”

Answering a question about the long-delayed High-Speed Rail project, Dyer said, “When is Jesus coming?”

Dyer still supports the project, saying it allows Fresno to reconnect to the California economy.

Caglia Files, but Says He’s Not Running for Supervisor

Several politicos noticed recently that former State Center Trustee Richard Caglia filed an intention statement to run for Fresno County Supervisor in 2028.

However, Caglia said a matchup against newly elected Supervisor Garry Bredefeld in District 2 is not in the works.

State campaign finance rules regulate leftover campaign cash.

“I had to move my money over within a certain amount of days from my State Center Community College (District) trustee account. So I was given two options — give it all away, which I didn’t know where to do it or who I was going to give it to, or move it temporarily and park it somewhere,” Caglia said.

He has no intention to run.

“Many have encouraged me to stay in public office. But right now, I’m working for my family business and absolutely loving it,” Caglia said.

Caglia opted not to run for re-election at State Center last year. He has more than $12,000 in his account as of Dec. 31.

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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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