Update: 11:20 a.m., Tuesday, June 25:

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.”

Original Story

The city of Fresno has completed its investigation into Police Chief Paco Balderrama, multiple sources tell GV Wire.

Now, any decision about whether Balderrama soon returns to work, is disciplined, or let go is in the hands of City Manager Georgeanne White.

The city placed Balderrama on paid leave June 12, after reports of an inappropriate relationship surfaced. White subsequently named Deputy Chief Mindy 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 has 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.

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No Government Code claim has been filed with the city, the first step for a potential lawsuit. The city became aware of the alleged affair in February. The law sets a six-month time limit to file a claim.

A source with knowledge of the situation but not authorized to speak publicly told GV Wire that Wamhoff had asked for a different role in the department which would not require him to work weekends and thus enable him to spend more time with his family.

Balderrama allegedly went back on his word to grant the move, to carry on the extramarital affair.

The city hasn’t issued any statements or updates on Balderrama’s situation. The police chief did not respond to a GV Wire request for comment.

Policy Violations?

The City Attorney’s Office handled the Balderrama probe, using an outside investigator. City Attorney Andrew Janz has declined to name the investigator. In addition, there hasn’t been an  internal affairs report on Balderrama’s alleged affair, a police source told GV Wire.

The city’s 734-page policy manual does not directly forbid affairs with another officer’s wife. However, there are several sections dealing with morals and ethics.

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For example, the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, found at the beginning of the manual, says “I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all.” It also says personal feelings, prejudices or animosities will not influence decisions.

Section 341.2.5 (ac) regarding performance standards and conduct which may result in discipline reads: “any other on-duty or -of-duty conduct which any member knows or reasonably should know is unbecoming a member of the Department or which is contrary to good order, efficiency or morale, or which tends to reflect unfavorable upon the Department or its members.”