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.

Related Story: Who’s In, Who’s Out in the Hush-Hush Fresno Police Chief Search?

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.

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.

Dyer on Potholes, Pardons, High-Speed Rail

Other topics mentioned by Dyer or asked by Politics 101:

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.