California police chief resigns after investigation into relationship with officer’s wife

Fresno Police Chief Juan F. “Paco” Balderrama has resigned following an investigation into an alleged affair with an officer’s wife.

“It is with a heavy heart and mixed feelings that we announce today the resignation of Fresno Police Department Chief Balderrama from the city of Fresno,” said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer at a news conference at City Hall at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

City Manager Georgeanne White said Balderrama handed in his resignation letter Tuesday morning. His resignation is effective July 25, and he would not receive a severance package, officials said.

Deputy Chief Mindy Casto will serve as the interim chief while a national search for a chief is conducted, a process city leaders estimate can take four to five months. Balderrama will be available to assist Casto during the transition.

Dyer praised Balderrama’s accomplishments in the city of Fresno, but said the chief’s resignation was needed.

“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,” Dyer said.

City officials said the investigation had ended and that the allegation that Balderrama had abused his power was not sustained.

“While I cannot get into the specifics of the investigation, I am able to state that this allegation was not sustained, and evidence to the contrary was presented,” White said.

“This does not excuse Chief Balderrama’s behavior as it relates to the inappropriate relationship, because, as he has stated, those actions cannot be justified or defended, and are the standards that he holds for himself and that we hold for the chief of police for the city of Fresno,” she said.

Two high-ranking city officials confirmed to The Bee last week that Officer Jordan Wamhoff alleged Balderrama had passed him over for a promotion in order to continue the roughly two-year affair with Wamhoff’s wife. Wamhoff is also a Madera County Board of Supervisor.

City officials did not name Wamhoff directly in Tuesday’s news conference, but they did mention an affair with an officer’s wife.

Dyer and White criticized local media coverage of the investigation, particularly local outlet SJV Sun, referring to coverage as a “media circus.” White said The Sun repeatedly reported incorrect information related to the alleged abuse of power.

Chief Balderrama’s message about resignation

City officials distributed a printed statement from Balderrama at Tuesday’s news conference in which he stated it was time for him to step away from his role to focus on his faith and his family.

“Serving as Chief of Police for the City of Fresno over the last three and one-half years has truly been the privilege of a lifetime. I want to thank the administration for giving me this opportunity. The men and women of the Fresno Police Department are second to none.”

Balderrama, 47, became the first chief of Hispanic descent to be hired in California’s fifth-largest city when he joined in January 2021.

Balderrama listed his efforts as chief, namely the ability to grow the department to 926 allotted positions, reduced violent and property crimes, the use of more technology to improve efficiency and the emphasis on community engagement to improve trust.

“The people of Fresno are beautiful, diverse, and very supportive of their police department. Even through my most difficult trials you have been kind, forgiving, and uplifting. Thank you for being there for me,” Balderrama wrote.

Dyer thanked Balderrama during the news conference for his work to help reduce violent crime, embrace technology and for his efforts to recruit and hire around 300 police officers.

“All of these are admirable accomplishments for a police chief,” Dyer said.

The investigation of police chief

Dyer said Balderrama offered to resign earlier in the process, but the mayor asked the chief to stay on at least until the investigation was complete.

Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz said the investigation was conducted by Andrew Aller, a Fresno attorney with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo. Janz said he hired an outside firm to avoid even the appearance of bias.

As the investigation continued, The Bee confirmed through two unnamed high-ranking city officials that Wamhoff had made demands with the city or else threatened to sue. He said he would retract any claim of damages if the city were to fire Balderrama within 30 days and give Wamhoff a more flexible position in the department.

The Bee also reviewed the demands in the text message sent to city leaders. The message also called for a nondisclosure agreement between Wamhoff and the city.

Dyer on Tuesday noted the scandal had gotten national attention, saying leaders from other cities were aware of it during his recent time at the United States Conference of Mayors.

Balderrama had applied for the chief’s job in Austin, according to the Austin American-Statesman. It was not clear when he applied for the job that stopped taking applications on June 10, four days after the investigation into Balderrama became public.

Dyer said he believed Balderrama would be able to work as a chief in another city despite the scandal.

“I do believe that he has hiring potential, and I do believe he’ll receive another police chief’s job in the future should he choose to pursue one,” Dyer said.