Mindy Casto, interim chief of the Fresno Police Department, speaks openly about career and goals

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) – Fresno’s new interim police chief takes office at a time of chaos, but has a wealth of experience to guide her.

Deputy Chief Mindy Casto was appointed to lead the nearly 900-officer department on June 13. That same day, former Police Chief Paco Balderrama was placed on leave pending an investigation into an inappropriate off-duty relationship he had with an officer’s wife.

Less than two weeks later, on July 25, Balderrama resigned.

The mayor and city manager are meeting this week to outline their expectations for the search for a new leader, but Mayor Jerry Dyer says the process could take four to five months.

RELATED TOPICS: Mayor Dyer outlines process to find new police chief after Paco Balderrama resigns

For Casto, her priorities while she remains in office are clear: protecting the community and building trust, starting within the department.

“When employees are truly unhappy and don’t trust leadership, they don’t perform optimally,” Casto said. “So that’s our job, my team’s job and mine, to help support officers, but also hold them accountable so we can gain the trust of the community and better oversee them.”

Casto says she has not yet decided whether she will apply for the permanent chief position.

“This is a huge city. It deserves nothing less than a leader who is fully committed,” Casto said. “And that’s what I am right now. As for the future, I don’t know. I’ll have to think about that.”

She says the decision will be a family one that includes her husband and fellow Fresno soldier Steve Casto, a sergeant in the support department who works on Axon software development.

Nepotism rules do not prevent Casto from taking the top job if she applies, since she would then not be under her husband’s direct command.

Recently, City Hall experienced delays in negotiations to renew the Axon contract for tasers and body cameras. Casto says that’s disappointing, but she understands the concerns.

“We have to be transparent. I can’t just talk about the importance of trust and transparency and not live it,” Casto said. “So there were questions that actually deserved answers. We have those answers.”

Casto has served with the Fresno Police Department for nearly 30 years.

Immediately after high school, she became a cadet in 1996 and was hired by the department in 1997.

She rose through the ranks and held many positions, including working in the internal department and serving as a union representative for officials accused of misconduct.

“It’s kind of like a lawyer is sometimes a prosecutor and sometimes a defense attorney. But it’s been very interesting to help get a more complete picture of both sides of the whole investigation…” Casto said. “…It’s just a great way to get a complete picture and actually help to do more thorough investigations.”

Casto is committed to building more relationships with community organizations.

In 2022, she was named one of the top 10 professionals by the Marjaree Mason Center, and today she serves on the board of the organization that provides housing and support to victims of domestic violence.

Balderrama will remain with the department until July 25 and will serve in an advisory capacity.

Casto says she hasn’t settled into the position enough to ask him for advice, but adds she has received many supportive messages from local leaders.

Casto was already the highest-ranking woman in the agency, and if she seeks permanent employment, she could become the city’s first female chief.

For updates follow Kate Nemarich on Facebook, Þjórsárden and Instagram.