The Fresno Commission for Police Reform was established to examine the future of policing in the City of Fresno. Many claim there is over-policing and discriminatory arrests among segments of our community. Fresno is not alone. Across the country protests and demonstrations have called for an end to racial injustices...
Police Say Gang Task Force Helping to Reduce Fresno Murders, Shootings by 50%
Fresno police say murders and shootings in the city have dropped 50% since a violence suppression task force was formed on October 6. "There were 99 shootings in the City 30 days prior to the start of the gang operation," says Deputy Chief Mark Salazar in a news release. "After...
Fresno Police Will Have Undercover Officers Near Polling Locations on Election Day
Fresno police will be in plain sight — but not easily identifiable — on Election Day as voters visit voting centers, a department spokesman said Monday. Police will be monitoring voting centers in plainclothes, said Sgt. Jeff LaBlue, to avoid concerns that uniformed officers could be viewed as intimidating to...
Baines Gets Personal with Emotional Comments as Police Reform Panel Wraps
For four months, Oliver Baines held his emotions in check while leading a 39-member commission on the contentious issue of police reform. A former councilman and Fresno police officer, Baines was asked to guide the city through a process aimed at addressing issues that have been simmering for decades. After...
Create New Civilian Oversight Board for Police, Reform Commission Urges
Fresno should form a new civilian oversight board to monitor the police department which would include full access to police investigation files, says a key recommendation from the city's police reform commission. The proposed Civilian Oversight Board would be made up of between 11 and 13 members and would have...
Police Chief Rejoices Over Court Call to Limit $0 Bail
Amid a rash of violence in Fresno, Police Chief Andy Hall praised a recent decision from the Fresno courts to limit the availability of $0 bail for more criminal suspects. The lead judges for Fresno County approved additional exemptions on Oct. 13 to the emergency bail rule — a state...
Who Opposes Fresno Resolution Supporting Armenia? This Country Does.
While the city of Fresno celebrated its relationship with Armenia by raising the country's flag at a City Hall ceremony Wednesday, not everyone is happy. The government of Azerbaijan is criticizing the Fresno City Council for considering a resolution supporting Armenia and condemning recent attacks over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, also...
Police Reviewer Stands Ground Despite Criticism Over Excessive Force Report Delay
John Gliatta remains steadfast that he made the right decision to delay publishing his findings on recent excessive force allegations against Fresno police. Gliatta, the city of Fresno's independent police auditor, found that an officer used excessive force during a January 2019 arrest involving a 17-year old juvenile. However, Gliatta...
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...
Police Union Leader: ‘I Disagree’ With Auditor’s Findings
Fresno police auditor John Gliatta released his findings on Thursday regarding allegations of excessive force during a January 2019 gang raid arrest. The incident, including body camera footage that apparently shows an officer striking a 17-year old seven times, led to a federal lawsuit and has been cited in conversations...