Balderrama is currently the Deputy Chief at the Oklahoma City Police Department and was involved with the department for more than 20 years. We knew who he was, he said. 2019 - 2023 The San Joaquin Valley Sun, a project of, Fired Fresno Police officer unloads on Balderrama, Dyer as he mulls suit. The officer gave chase and tackled the man. "We're going to work very hard to make this city a safer place to live. During his career he has held various assignments including patrol officer, field training officer (FTO), IMPACT officer, D.A.R.E. Will it get $36 million back? But theyre acting like Im running around burning crosses, or whatever the hell they think those guys do. I said, Look, Im going to fight this. "Chief Balderrama has that commitment and he has what it takes to be a great police chief.". . So thats kind of a side story altogether. Instructor, and Public Information Officer. After talking to Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong and former Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn, I now present my talk with Chief Paco Balderrama in Fresno. My lawyer had a meeting with the chief within that time, and the chief had told him that theres no way that theyre going to keep me because of optics, Fitzgerald told The Sun. He worked. Financials show how much has changed for the Dogs. Its going to take some time. I am certain he will bring people together to create achievable goals that everyone can buy into.. Ultimately, Fitzgerald sees his termination as a failure by Balderrama and Dyer, and he is disappointed that he was not given fair treatment. Modern policing is so much better than it used to be. I firmly believe in the sanctity of life, meaning every person, no matter what their circumstances, is valued and their life is sacred. He is Fresno's 22nd chief and the first of Hispanic . Paco Balderrama in Oklahoma City. But hes also had to deal with new issues posed by the pandemic, such as disruptive anti-maskers (more on that below). Although the Fresno Police Department is ahead of the curve in many areas, we will continue to improve on several fronts, most notably transparency with our community, public safety, and officer wellness. 2021 Fresno County Juvenile Justice Realignment Plan - Past Agendas and Minutes. But in reality, theyve turned out to hurt our community and a zero dollar bail is one of them. Mayors Plan to Grow City and Airport? World, Latest We are thrilled to welcome Paco and his family to our great city and we know that he will meet the task of leading our police department with grace and humility.. And in reality, those things dont happen every day. Once the suspect was under control, colleagues saw the officer bleeding from the head area and noticed his right ear was partially torn off, Trueba Vega said. Its about fairness. I think sometimes you see a video like what occurred in Minneapolis with George Floyd and its played over and over and over and is viewed literally millions of times. But its also important to acknowledge just how far weve progressed as a career path. We wish him the very best in his new position.". It is my privilege to lead the men and women of one of the finest police departments in the nation. Public Securing. If you have a life-threatening emergency, please dial 9-1-1. Instructor, and Public Information Officer.. It was a lot of calls, and then when we would call the person back and say, Hey, we actually reviewed the video. And realistically, in order for me to make all the changes and improvements and enhancements that I want to make to the Fresno Police Department, thats about how long its going to take. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. I dont plan on going anywhere until I finish the job. The way you do special units is no good. The 44-year-old comes to Fresno by way of Oklahoma City, where he served as Deputy Chief. He has been arrested at least five times in the last two weeks, for property crimes, burglaries and felony vandalism. Balderrama takes over a department that has seen its share of violent crime, including a record number of shootings in 2020 and already five homicides to begin the new year. For our community, it is important to share that our detectives have been working tirelessly on these cases and believe that none of the homicides are related to each other, the Stockton police department said. Lufino Reyes Mejorado, 60, was killed Dec. 6 in a road rage shooting along Interstate 5 in Sacramento after an encounter with another driver that started several miles away on another freeway. Hall was the surprise selection as chief last year to replace the retiring Jerry Dyer. Previously, he served as a web editor for NBC New York and NBC Chicago. I think your culture and your upbringing have a lot more to do with how you lead than being Hispanic or African-American or white. I completely empathize with it, because Ive been in law enforcement for so long, seeing how things have changed for the better. Nightmare! Balderrama is currently the Deputy Chief at the Oklahoma City Police Department and was involved with the department for more than 20 years. Well, the system is letting them out, sometimes within hours. Fresnos latest census, I think were looking at about 550,000. Let them be on their way and you maintain a safe distance from them, CHP Valley Division spokesman Officer Eulogio Ceja said. He has been arrested at least five times in the last two weeks, for property crimes, burglaries and felony vandalism. 1. In an odd occurrence of the butterfly effect, the bombing is the entire reason Balderrama pursued a career in law enforcement. In 2000, Chief Balderrama was named Rookie of the Year after his first full year of service in the Oklahoma City Police Department. Los Angeles Times. JJCC Realignment Subcommittee Meeting Agenda - 3.14.2023; 2.23.23 JJCC Meeting Agenda It was the fact that they did not understand why the officer did what they did. Witnesses offer conflicting accounts, Mass shooting leaves 3 women and 1 man dead in the Mojave Desert as detectives search for answers, Lakers vs. Warriors: What scouts expect in playoff series, Hollywood writers strike over streaming pay after talks fail. As Fresno County deals with the purple tier restrictions in the states COVID-19 reopening blueprint once again, the county and the City of Fresno are focussed on education before punishment. 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Juan Francisco Balderrama, 44 Paco is his nickname comes from Oklahoma City with more than 20 years of law enforcement experience. When something does happen or when there are allegations, most police departments are going to act quickly to investigate and find out. Balderrama, a 21-year veteran of the Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD), will become the first Hispanic Police Chief in Fresno's history when he is sworn in on January 11, 2021. He began his tenure as the top cop in Californias fifth-largest city in January 2021. They can basically know every nook and cranny in that area that they're patrolling," said Chief Paco Balderrama. Thats you, not us. Diana Trueba Vega. We went and had coffee, and I basically said, Look, the way youre running the departments horrible. Juan "Paco" Balderrama, 44, spent more than 20 years in the Oklahoma City Police Department and was the first Hispanic deputy chief there. Fresno Police on March 4 exchanged shots with and killed a man who fled a traffic stop. Fresno Council Chambers Reopened to Public, Mayor Says, Fresno Businesses Push State for Help With Worker Shortage, 'Every Police Dept. He and his family moved to Oklahoma City in 1993. There was a story in the paper criticizing me just for sitting down and dealing with this person. "My brother and I really wanted to give back to our community and we really thought that law enforcement was the best way to do that," Balderrama said at the April 2019 promotion ceremony. Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama identified the suspect as 31-year-old Willis Monroe Randolph. 29 Apr 2023 00:03:18 Justin Ray is a former Metro reporter who wrote the Essential California newsletter. As hes faced increased criticism from law enforcement, elected officials and his own staff, Los Angeles County Dist. Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama said last year Fresno tallied 79 citations and arrests related to reckless driving, sideshows and street racing. 39 likes, 6 comments - West Fresno Boys & Girls Club (@westfresnobgc) on Instagram: "A special day at West Fresno Boys & Girls Club, as we were grateful to celebrate within our clubh . Policing today is about accountability. Chris Davis, Portland Police Bureau deputy chief. Sniffing out the cause and treatments for a rough allergy season, 3 people shot at apartment complex in Hanford, police say, 2 bodies found behind gas station in Tulare, police say. The incoming chief attended the University of Central Oklahoma and has a Master's degree in Criminal Justice Administration. They were criminal and evil in nature, and its important to acknowledge that. Now we havent reached the pinnacle of being the most diverse agency in the country yet because we still have some room to grow: we need to hire more females in particular, wed like to see more Asian and Pacific Islander police officers. Its been a pleasure to work with him over the last few years, George said. Daniel Gligich is a senior reporter for The San Joaquin Valley Sun. "We did see the officer suffered a pretty severe laceration to the ear," Balderrama said . He has not hired an attorney to pursue litigation yet, but he said there are many lawyers who seem very interested in taking on the case. Aha! Police said they used patrol cruisers to strike the suspect's car, which spun out of control near Herndon and Ingram avenues. Randolph faces felony charges of burglary, resisting arrest and committing a felony while out on bail. So I grab the flag and push it down. Paco Balderrama, who was heavily involved in community outreach on behalf of the Oklahoma City Police Department, served as the department's first Hispanic deputy chief, and was the face of the department during a tenure as spokesman, has been named chief of police in Fresno, California. So before I came to Fresno, I was the deputy chief in Oklahoma City, which is actually a larger city than Fresno; its about 650,000 , give or take. The Fresno County Department of Public Health (1221 Fulton Street, Fresno, CA 93721) is offering naloxone at no-cost. With the exception of domestic violence, total violent crime is down -12.7% year over year. I think at the bare minimum you at least have to let the process play out, Fitzgerald said. According to his bio, he has served as patrol officer, field training officer (FTO), IMPACT officer, D.A.R.E. It is my privilege to lead the men and women of one of the finest police departments in the nation. Malik Aziz, Dallas Police Department major. I have a tremendous amount of love, appreciation and admiration for all of the people in our Police Department who serve bravely and honorably every day, Balderrama said in a written statement released by the city of Oklahoma City. No, they didnt. Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Hes always willing to sit down to see if theres a good solution to the problem. 436 likes, 4 comments - Fresno Police Department (@fresno.pd) on Instagram: "Today Chief @paco_balderrama met with @americanambulancefresnokings to continue the collaboratio." Fresno Police Department on Instagram: "Today Chief @paco_balderrama met with @americanambulancefresnokings to continue the collaboration between our agencies as we . News, Business So its very unfortunate.. Fresno Co., city focusing on COVID-19 rules education over punishment, $60mil Bulldog Stadium overhaul gets first greenlight amid financing shifts. A couple weeks after the internal affairs investigation started, Fitzgeralds legal counsel with the Fresno Police Officers Association met with Balderrama. Together, along with city leadership and the support of the community, the Fresno Police Department will be the model for success not only in the Central Valley but in the State of California. If theyre trying to pass you, let them pass. Capital and Main, California Highway Patrol speaks out amid road rage incidents. #CANARCAN @CityofClovisCA @BalderramaPaco @ClovisPolice_CA @MargaretMims. Local That alleged robbery gave Balderrama the ability to execute an emergency termination. What do you make of that whole situation in hindsight? More than half of our agency is minorities, and we serve a very diverse community. "However, he leaves behind his work, mentorship and drive for a diverse and inclusive culture.". one witness who actually took a picture of an individual who we believe is the suspect standing over the body," the Fresno police chief said Paco Balderrama said recently press conference . It is important to capitalize on this opportunity to make systematic improvements in the way we police and deal with members of our community. Sniffing out the cause and treatments for a rough allergy season, 3 people shot at apartment complex in Hanford, police say, 2 bodies found behind gas station in Tulare, police say. Last month, Balderrama said he is focused on two things: community trust and community safety. Times reporters explain what you should and shouldnt expect in the coming weeks. Fresno's new police chief will be sworn into office on Monday. But, as far as being a police chief, that can engage with people to get them to stop committing crimes, its something thats part of my job. Hes originally from Cincinnati. During his month-long leave, Fitzgerald had his FPOA lawyer approach Balderrama about the possibility of taking a medical retirement and leaving quietly. ), Decades of failures leave L.A. County facing up to $3 billion in sex abuse claims, Lakers vs. Warriors: What scouts expect in playoff series, Dating in L.A. is exhausting, so I asked a chatbot to flirt for me. But I promise you that policing has improved so much, especially in those areas of use of force and of equality. Larry Satterwhite, Houston Police Department assistant chief. Tours & Schedules The suspect remained in custody Monday without bail, according to jail records. Hes great in the community, very community oriented, George said. So it gives people the impression that that type of behavior occurs a hundred times a day, every day. Eighty percent of the complaints that I ever fielded about there were simply misunderstandings. I basically told my lawyer, I said, Look, this is unfair. As part of a collaborative effort, Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni, Fresno County Probation Chief Kirk Haynes and Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama have secured a $38,500 grant for the Boys & Girl Clubs of Fresno County . According to GV Wire sources who could not speak publicly because of personnel policies, the city interviewed seven semifinalists. 2020 was a landmark year for law enforcement across our nation. George says it will be a big loss for Oklahoma Citys Hispanic community. So they are a great tool for accountability, and Im glad that we have them. The regions average home price has jumped a whopping 35% since 2020, to $875,000. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. The morale is at an all-time low. And he was like, Well, morales not really my problem. I was like, You know you set the tone, right? He was also awarded 2008 Outstanding Community Leader by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and was named one of the 12 Most Influential Hispanics in Oklahoma by El Nacional newspaper in 2012. When Brand selected Hall last year, it was understood it would be a short-time selection. And perception is reality. Even though being the FOP and being him being a chief, obviously we dont always agree eye to eye. Los Angeles: Overcast, 58 San Diego: Rainy 56 San Francisco: Sunny 54 San Jose: Fresno: Sunny 57 Sacramento: Sunny 57. Gourley said he had worked with Balderrama since the day he joined the Police Department. Im Justin Ray. At the time, Im a high school senior and Im a football player. It will be open for public comment from March 7, 2023 until May 3, 2023. . Every promotion he received drew attention because Balderrama was the highest-ranking Latino officer in the department's 130-year history. If you have a Late last year, I spoke with Balderrama about misconceptions about policing, how being a person of color does (and doesnt) impact the way he does his job, and a controversial moment in his tenure involving a protestor. But, you know, its really hard to say how Im different from my predecessor or from other chiefs. He is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma Citys Class IX and is a board member of The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools, the University of Central Oklahoma Criminal Justice Program Advisory Board, and Good Shepard Clinic. I want to be able to expand certain units and be more productive, Balderrama said. Response times are going to be lower, and interaction with the public is going to be better.
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