The Fresno Police Department swore in 28 new officers, promoted 12 civilian staff members, and recognized four new sergeants and a new lieutenant in an emotionally moving ceremony Friday morning at Valdez Hall. Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama noted that the department is the largest in the city's history with...
Fresno PD Nabs Drivers, Cyclists and Pedestrians in Safety Operation
The Fresno Police Department cited 40 drivers and 25 bicyclists and pedestrians on Friday during a 10-hour traffic safety operation, the department announced Tuesday. The drivers were cited for failure to yield to another vehicle at an intersection, unsafe speed, driving a motor vehicle while holding and operating a cellphone,...
Active Shooter Hoax Hits Bullard High. Will It Affect Cellphone Ban?
A hoax phone call that falsely claimed that two people armed with AR-15 rifles were shooting students at Bullard High School caused widespread panic across the city Wednesday, with some parents speeding to the northwest Fresno school site in fear for their children even as a massive force of...
Fresno Trustees Vote 6-1 to Put Cops Back on Middle School Campuses
Twenty months after allowing a middle school police officer contract with Fresno Police Department to lapse, the Fresno Unified School Board voted 6-1 to bring cops back to the campuses. Amy Idsvoog, the district's executive officer for health services, safety and emergency response, said the first officers will go...
More Security Needed? Cops May Be Coming to Fresno Middle School Campuses
Two school boards in Fresno could amend contracts this month with the Fresno Police Department to add police officers on middle school campuses as school resource officers. For Fresno Unified, the proposed $1,017,761 contract addendum would restore officers who have been absent from middle school campuses since the last...
Fresno Police Will be Highest Paid in Valley Under New Labor Deal
The nearly 850 Fresno police officers are now back under contract after the city struck a new labor accord. Announced late Thursday afternoon after a 7-0 vote by the Fresno City Council and ratified by 96% of the members of the Fresno Police Officers' Association, the new three-year deal...
Fresno Police, Neighbors Take Part in National Night Out Events
Neighborhoods around Fresno County celebrated the annual National Night Out event Tuesday put on by local law enforcement agencies in an effort to strengthen partnership's and community engagement. The annual event takes place across the country, usually during the month of August with many community partners and neighborhoods participating in...
‘I’m Not Sure I’ll Make It Out of This.’ Former Councilmember Details Alleged Assault.
Oliver Baines offered extensive new details Friday on an alleged assault earlier in the week by a long-time friend and aide. But, the former Fresno City Councilmember said the incident had nothing to do with a failed business venture, as was reported by Fresno police in a news release the...
Did Fresno Police Violate Press Freedom at Tower Protest? Experts Say Yes.
The city of Fresno and Fresno Police Department were determined to give protesters opposing and supporting the sale of the Tower Theatre to a conservative Christian church the ability to exercise their First Amendment right to freedom of speech while keeping them safe from verbal or physical altercations. But while...
Clovis Looks to $10,000 Bonuses to Recruit New Cops, Matching Fresno Offer
Update: The Clovis City Council voted unanimously to approve the $10,000 bonuses and cadet trainee positions during their Monday night meeting. (Original Story Below) Clovis Police Department officials say they're having such a hard time finding and hiring qualified officers they want to add signing bonuses to their recruitment strategy....