Police Chief Jerry Dyer hopes to unify Fresno as next mayor — but protestors say he’s unfit
As Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer expressed his hope to unite the city as “one Fresno” during a news conference announcing his mayoral bid Wednesday, protestors outside Manchester Center banged on the windows, chanting “No Mayor Dyer.”
“There is no north Fresno way, and there is no south Fresno way. There is one Fresno way, and that is what we are going to do,” Dyer said. “We must be one in Fresno.”
Dyer was flanked by his family and much of Fresno’s conservative establishment, including Fresno County supervisors Nathan Magsig, Buddy Mendes and Steve Brandau, District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp and former Fresno Mayor Alan Autry — the mayor who hired Dyer as police chief 18 years ago. The news conference was bookended by prayer.
Dyer touted his experience as police chief, managing a multi-million dollar budget and thousands of employees, as making him qualified for the city’s top post. He thanked Mayor Lee Brand for his service, saying after Brand announced he would not seek re-election, he felt called to run.
“As your mayor, I’ll be a champion. I’ll be a champion for all Fresno,” he said.
But while he and his supporters spoke, the chants of about 20 protestors nearly drowned out their words. Other protestors made their way inside Manchester Center and quietly lined the upper level with signs.
Dyer didn’t shy away from addressing his critics. He began the news conference by saying the protestors had every right to be there. He ended it saying he was ready to “go through the fire.”
“For most people running for office, that would probably scare them, but that’s been the story of my 18 years as police chief. So I am quite used to it,” he laughed.
Dyer expressed a desire to bring higher paying jobs and invest in infrastructure “in every single part” of the city, including parks and trails. He said for too long people have talked about Fresno’s untapped potential. Now, it’s time to realize it, he said. He also spoke about tackling the root causes of homelessness such as addiction and domestic violence and the city’s need for more shelter space.
Autry said he tips his hat to anyone seeking public office right now, given the current divisive political climate.
Smittcamp praised Dyer’s management of the Fresno Police Department, calling him a “beacon of light in darkness,” and wishing him luck.
Dyer joins two other mayoral candidates: Fresno County prosecutor Andrew Janz, who challenged Rep. Devin Nunes in 2018, and Fresno City Councilmember Luis Chavez, who represents southeast Fresno.
Both Chavez and Janz said they welcome Dyer into the race and look forward to debating him on city issues.
Leaving the chief post
Dyer said in the near future he will take a leave of absence for his job as police chief so there’s not a perception he’s campaigning on city time. His official retirement date is Oct. 16.
The city of Fresno sent a statement Wednesday, saying now that Dyer has officially announced his intention to run, the mayor and city manager “will sit down with him in the next few days to discuss his plans,” which could include a leave of absence.
“In the meantime, as long as he campaigns on his personal time, he’ll be in compliance with City policy,” the statement said.
Right after the news conference ended, Councilmember Miguel Arias in a news release thanked Dyer for his service, but called on him to resign, citing the need for a full-time police chief.
“Our city business cannot be compromised by real or perceived inappropriate influence by a political candidate and police chief,” Arias said. “The integrity and effectiveness of our city government will be tested in the coming months and it is important that all those running to lead our city do their part to ensure we serve the best interests of all residents.”
Councilmember Garry Bredefeld sent a news release Wednesday that repudiated Arias’ call, saying Dyer should remain police chief until he retires.
“It is well known that Council Member Arias wanted Chief Dyer fired as soon as he took office in January and this is just more of Mr. Arias’ ‘political campaign’ against Chief Dyer,” Bredefeld said in the release.
“Our community has greatly benefited for 18 years under Chief Dyer’s leadership. He has made our city safer, ensured that law enforcement has had the necessary resources to complete their responsibilities and is always accessible to all parts of our community. He has tremendous integrity, strength of character, and I have no doubt will fulfill his obligations as our police chief, regardless of his decision to run for mayor.”
Protestors make voices heard
A handful of protestors forced the news conference inside before it began.
Organizer Shannon Kurtz organized a Facebook event called “Milkshakes for Dyer,” alluding to increasingly popular milkshake protests in the UK against far right politicians.
Kurtz cited allegations from Dyer’s past about an extramarital relationship with a teen girl and former Deputy Chief Keith Foster’s drug convictions as reasons for the protest. She called for an investigation into the relationship to be reopened and said he’s not fit to be mayor.
“He still thinks he has community support when legitimately he doesn’t,” she said. “Even if you’re super into law-and-order candidates, he’s not good at it.”
Dyer during the news conference said people like the protestors may never be “reached” by a message of unity.
Councilmember Nelson Esparza, who supports Janz, said those comments were in poor taste.
“The most divisive character in Fresno politics probably isn’t the one who should be leading it forward,” he said. “My district seems to be a popular location for mayoral prospectives to announce their candidacy, but Andrew Janz was the only candidate who had the courtesy to notify me beforehand. If Chief Dyer had called, I would have recommended that he announce in a district that he actually has a chance of winning.”
This story was originally published May 29, 2019 at 11:38 AM.