Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama, who had been under investigation since February following allegations he had an affair with an officer’s wife, resigned Tuesday morning. City officials announced that the investigation had been completed and that Balderrama had submitted his resignation, effective July 25, which they have accepted. The city will begin a national search to find his replacement.
“We do believe this resignation by the chief is in the best interest of the community, the police department, and our employees, as well as for Chief Balderrama and the families involved, given the intense media scrutiny that this matter has received at the local, state and federal levels,” Mayor Jerry Dyer said Tuesday at a news conference. “In this particular case, it would have been even more difficult for Chief Balderrama to be able to maintain that trust of his officers and the community.” Balderrama informed the mayor and city manager in February that “an allegation would likely be made against him related to an inappropriate off-duty relationship he was involved in,” according to a written statement released by the city.
Balderrama was placed on administrative leave , and City Atty. Andrew Janz said the city hired an outside attorney to handle the investigation “to avoid any appearance of bias or impropriety.” In a statement issued through the city , Balderrama said that serving as Fresno police chief “has truly been the privilege of a lifetime.
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