Fresno (California) Police Chief Paco Balderrama has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation surrounding an inappropriate relationship.
Fresno Chief on Leave Pending Investigation into Inappropriate Relationship
The investigation into Chief Paco Balderrama took a turn Wednesday when he spoke before cameras for the first time after admitting to an inappropriate relationship in a written statement Monday.

Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the conclusion of an investigation.
Fresno PD
The news was announced to members of the Fresno Police Department Wednesday afternoon by City Manager Georgeanne White.
This is the most difficult time in my life and in my family's life," said Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama. "Please don't ask any salacious questions about my family. My family is not doing well, and I'm not doing well,” Fox 26 reports.
The investigation into Balderrama took a turn Wednesday when he spoke before cameras for the first time after admitting to an inappropriate relationship in a written statement Monday, telling his police department, "My actions did not meet the standards of who I am as a man of faith, husband, or father. I own my mistakes they're mine and mine alone to bear, and I will pay for those mistakes for the rest of my life."
Deputy Chief Mindy Casto is now leading operations at the Fresno Police Department.
More Command

A police department’s guide to fleet management and vehicle health
Today’s police departments face rising fleet costs and must stay ready to respond, no matter the call. In this eBook, get powerful insights to enhance your police fleet’s cost-efficiency, reliability and performance through data-driven tactics.
Read More →
NEOGOV Acquires Off-Duty Law Enforcement Software Platform PowerDetails
With the acquisition of PowerDetails, NEOGOV expands its footprint within public safety agencies to offer both on-duty and off-duty scheduling.
Read More →
FBI-LEEDA Launches Inaugural Five Star Chief Executive Institute
FBI-LEEDA’s recently-launched Five Star Chief Executive Institute is a two-week executive program that equips senior law enforcement leaders with strategic skills for modern policing.
Read More →
Why Police Leaders Must Champion Parking Enforcement
For police and transportation departments, traditional parking enforcement exposes officers to risk, such as standing on busy roads to issue paper tickets or catching offenders in dangerous, congested areas. Modern technology changes this, reducing exposure, speeding processes, and limiting confrontations.
Read More →More IACP 2025 From the Show Floor
Watch expanded coverage of IACP 2025 as the POLICE Magazine team walks the aisles at the expo and shares what we found interesting on display for chiefs from across the country and around the world this week in Denver, Colorado.
Read More →IACP 2025 - From the Show Floor
Take a look inside the expo at IACP 2025 to see a sampling of what is displayed for chiefs from across the country and around the world this week in Denver, Colorado.
Read More →
Pro-gard Expands Law Enforcement Vehicle Protection and Transport Solutions
Pro-gard has introduced HD Fender and Headlight Wraps for added front-end protection and a new P1300 Pro-Cell transport system for Ford F-150 and Super Duty models.
Read More →
COPS Teams With The Wounded Blue To Help Injured And Disabled Law Enforcement Officers And Their Families
Free officer-wellness training comes to Las Vegas Sept. 22–25: The Wounded Blue’s 5th Annual National Law Enforcement Survival Summit opens registration.
Read More →
Video: Officer Crawls Across Ladder to Rescue Family from Floodwaters
When floodwaters overturned a vehicle in rural New Mexico, Officer Walker Eby risked his life—crawling over raging currents on a ladder—to rescue a woman, her child, and their dog.
Read More →
Ahmedabad, India, to Host 2029 World Police & Fire Games
Birmingham, Alabama, hosted the 2025 World Police & Fire Games, and Ahmedabad, India, has been announced as the host city for 2029.
Read More →