Fresno police chief Balderrama investigates extramarital affair

Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama will remain head of the police department while the city investigates an alleged extramarital relationship.

The City requests that judgment be withheld in this confidential personnel matter until the investigation is complete.

The big picture: Balderrama informed Mayor Jerry Dyer and City Manager Georgeanne White in February that an allegation of an inappropriate relationship outside of work hours would likely be made against him.

• A statement from the city said Balderrama allegedly had a relationship with a non-city employee.
• The city opened an administrative investigation, and an independent investigator was hired by the city attorney’s office to determine whether Balderrama violated agency policies.
• The investigation is currently in the review process.

Flashback: Balderrama became the new police chief in January 2021 and moved from Oklahoma City with his wife and three children.

What you say: “Chief Balderrama has served as police chief for the past three and a half years and has been instrumental in rebuilding the Fresno Police Department and dramatically reducing the violent crime rate,” the city said in a statement.

• “Serving as police chief has been a struggle at times. I’ve had a couple of nights where I wondered, ‘What the hell have I gotten myself into?’ But I can tell you, it’s very gratifying to see the success of this police department. And you know, I can’t forget our mayor either. You know, he told me a while ago, I can’t give you a contract, but I gave you my word that you’re my man as long as I’m mayor. So, so far, it’s going well. Thank you for your support. We can’t do it without you,” Balderrama said during a budget presentation to Fresno lawmakers on Wednesday.