‘Deeply sorry.’ Fresno chief apologizes for relationship in memo to police amid inquiry

Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama apologized to the officers under his command late Monday amid an investigation into an off-duty relationship, telling police in a memo, “I own my mistakes.”

The 47-year-old has been under a public magnifying glass since Thursday, when the city of Fresno took the unusual step of saying publicly that Balderrama was being investigated for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a non-city employee.

The news release from the city confirming the relationship did not disclose its nature, and neither did Balderrama in his memo to officers from 5:47 p.m. Monday. The Bee obtained the memo through a public records request.

“It is so very true that there are two sides to every story, but I do not intend to justify or defend myself regardless of any unknown circumstances,” he wrote. “My actions did not meet the standards of who I am as a man of faith, husband, or father.”

Balderrama, who is married and has three children, was not placed on administrative leave but remains under investigation by an independent investigator retained by the City Attorney’s Office, according to officials.

“I humbly come to you and ask for your forgiveness as your leader, who clearly has flaws and imperfections,” Balderrama’s memo says. “I realize many of you may be upset and disappointed. I understand those feelings and I don’t fault you for it.”

The Fresno Police Officers Association called for a meeting to be held Wednesday to further discuss the matter behind closed doors and under attorney-client privilege protection, according to a communication authored by union President Brandon Wiemiller.

The union email was critical of Balderrama, who has been chief since 2021, and said the city’s confirmation left out important information about the alleged nature of the inappropriate relationship in question.

“The FPOA executive board has received countless communications from members at all ranks and throughout all areas of the department that they feel betrayed, and trust has been lost,” the union email says.

Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz on Tuesday declined to comment on the nature of the relationship, adding his office was heading up the investigation into Balderrama.

Janz said he appointed an independent investigator from outside the city to avoid any appearance of bias, but he will approve the final report. “(It) will be a thorough investigation,” Janz wrote in a text message to The Bee.

Some Fresno residents have been baffled by the investigation, wondering on social media why an off-duty relationship with a person who is not an employee would rise to such an inquiry.

The nature of the relationship may not matter. Unlike the rest of the police force, Balderrama is not covered by a union contract. The chief is an “at-will” employee who answers directly to City Manager Georgeanne White and Mayor Jerry Dyer.

An at-will employee can be fired “at any time, with or without cause, …” according to his employment agreement with the city.

Balderrama’s memo says he will pay for his “mistakes for the rest of my life,” noting that they have affected his family and the police department.

“I am deeply sorry for letting you down, and all I can do is ask for your forgiveness,” he wrote.

This story was originally published June 11, 2024 at 12:16 PM.

Thaddeus Miller

Merced Sun-Star

559-441-6015

Reporter Thaddeus Miller has covered cities in the central San Joaquin Valley since 2010, writing about everything from breaking news to government and police accountability. A native of Fresno, he joined The Fresno Bee in 2019 after time in Merced and Los Banos.