FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – The Fresno Police Department formally announced Paco Balderama as the city’s new police chief Tuesday afternoon, making him Fresno’s 23rd law enforcement leader and first Hispanic Chief of Police.
Balderama was born in El Paso, Texas, is a Mexican-American, and a twin – his brother, Beto, also currently works for the Oklahoma City Police Department.
As he stood masked, being introduced by Fresno Mayor Brand, Mayor-Elect Jerry Dyer and other city leaders, he spoke of his heritage, and said he thanks his mother for his name.
“It is a great honor. It is a great responsibility. My last name is not my last name. It’s one that I borrowed from my mom. My job is to keep that name untarnished and to give it honor,” said Balderama.
Balderama was promoted to the position of Deputy Chief at Oklahoma City Police Department in April of 2019, making him the department’s first Hispanic Deputy Chief over a city of more than 650,000 people. (See his Oklahoma City biography below).
He was chosen by a committee in Fresno as one of three candidates in the running to succeed current Fresno Police Chief Andy Hall, who took over from Chief Jerry Dyer, after he won the election for the position of Fresno Mayor.
Outgoing Chief Hall made the introduction of Balderama, who is moving his family, wife and two children, across the country from Oklahoma City where he’s been with the police department there since 1999.
During the Zoom press conference, 44 year-old Balderama said he’s spent half his life in police work, and is an 18-year veteran of the force.
Balderama shared his policing philosophy, and said his two main focuses will be community trust and community safety.
He said he’s looking at the 73 recommendations from the Police Reform Commission, and said many are common sense, and he could see using a number of city departments to supplement policing by the department.
Balderama will take on the position on Jan 11, 2021.
Chief Andy Hall will stay on until the 15 of January to help with the transition.
Click to listen to the reports by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
Deputy Chief Paco Balderrama – Special Operations Bureau
Deputy Chief Paco Balderrama is a 21-year veteran of the Oklahoma City Police Department. During his career he has held various assignments including patrol officer, field training officer (FTO), IMPACT officer, D.A.R.E. Instructor, and Public Information Officer. Chief Balderrama was also a member of the Oklahoma City Police Tactical Team for 3 years, and taught self-defense and Spanish to recruits in the Police Academy.
As a first-line supervisor Chief Balderrama was assigned to the Bricktown Bike Patrol, the Truancy Unit, the FACT Gang Prevention Program, and the Bilingual Unit. As a captain he was Commander over Investigations – Property Crimes, the OCPD Cadet Program, CHAPPs, the OCPD Honor Guard and the Office of Media Relations.
Chief Balderrama’s current assignment is over the Special Operations Bureau which includes the Criminal Intelligence, Major Violators, the Violent Crime Apprehension Team (VCAT), Bricktown Division, Uniform Support, Youth Services and Emergency Services.
Some of his career accomplishments include the implementation of the LeadsOnline Pawn Database, the creation of the Crime Stoppers and Social Media Manager position, and the development of the OCPD Cadet Program.
Chief Balderrama has a Master degree in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma and is a graduate of the #269th Session of the FBI National Academy, which he attended in 2017.
Chief Balderrama’s involvement in the community include serving as a past board member of the Latino Community Development Agency, the Wes Welker Foundation and the Oklahoma Police and Fire Athletic Association. Paco is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City’s LOYAL Class IX and SALLT Class III. He is a current board member of The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools, the University of Central Oklahoma Criminal Justice Program Advisory Board, the Potts Family Foundation and Good Shepard Clinic.
