Paco Balderrama is Fresno's next police chief. "I'm very, very humbled to be here," Balderrama said at an introductory news conference. "My experience is that the higher you go, the smaller you feel; and you feel this small because you feel the pressure of the responsibility and the people's lives...
‘Every Police Dept. Should Mirror Its Community’: Paco Balderrama Named Fresno Police Chief
Paco Balderrama is Fresno's next police chief. The outgoing Oklahoma City deputy chief announced his departure to Fresno in a news release in that city. "Although it’s not easy to leave this city and department that I have called home for over two decades, a new challenge and opportunity await my...
Fresno’s Top Cops Call Out Newsom on Closed Prisons
Fresno's top law enforcement officials called out Gov. Gavin Newsom to reopen prisons. After an increase in violent crime in the city, Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp and several law enforcement leaders addressed the media at a Wednesday afternoon news conference at the county Plaza Building. Smittcamp Calls Out...
Panel Vets 7 Fresno Police Chief Hopefuls as Selection Nears
Seven candidates vying to become Fresno's next police chief have been interviewed over the last two days, GV Wire℠has learned. One internal candidate — newly promoted Deputy Chief Mark Salazar — is being considered. Five of the others are high ranking police officials from across the country. One is a...
Who Wants to Be Fresno Police Chief? Salazar Applies Again
Mark Salazar still wants to be Fresno's next police chief. As he did last year, the longtime captain applied for the position, Salazar tells Politics 101. Chief Andy Hall faces mandatory retirement next spring. He was the surprise winner in last year's search to replace the retiring (and now mayor-elect)...
Advance Peace Is Approved, but Arias and Hall Remain at Odds
Even though the Fresno City Council approved funding for Advance Peace, perhaps council president Miguel Arias and police chief Andrew Hall didn't get the message Thursday. They continued their public sniping at each other during the debate. Also in Politics 101: Arias, Hall snipe at each other over police metrics....
Chorus Grows Louder to Defund Fresno Police Department
Even before the Fresno City Council discussed the police budget Monday, more than three dozen comments arrived opposed to more spending or calling for reduced funding. Those commenting live during the meeting echoed similar sentiments. Fresno Police Chief Andrew Hall listened in as commenters advocated for defunding — and even...
Police and Fire Chiefs Ask Public For COVID-19 Heads-Up
The chiefs of Fresno's police and fire departments reassured the public they are ready and able to respond to emergency needs Thursday afternoon. But Fresno Fire Chief Kerri Donis is asking for the public's help to warn first responders if they have COVID-19 symptoms when calling for service. "We are...