Final community meeting for input on Fresno's next police chief

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Wednesday is the last chance for Fresno residents to weigh in on what they want in the city's next police chief.

The third of four virtual meetings was held Tuesday night for community members to share their thoughts on the city's next top cop.

The Zoom meeting was hosted by the firm helping with the hunt.

The last virtual meeting will take place at 7 pm Wednesday.

"We've received some really valuable feedback so far; what we are hearing from the community is that they want the next police chief to really build on the community policing strategies that we've had in the past," said Sontaya Rose, City of Fresno's Director of Communications.

Rose says the meetings are a chance for Fresno's diverse population to join the conversation.

One of those people is Northwest Fresno resident Matthew Gillian, who attended the first forum.

"I would love to see somebody that is bringing some more compassion to the process of policing," said Gillian.

Gillian says he wants more people to participate in Wednesday night's meeting.

"If we don't show up and we don't make our voices heard. Even though I know sometimes it feels like we don't get heard even when we do show up, we have to keep showing up," said Gillian.

There's also a survey in four languages for people to complete. Rose says 300 people, from residents to Fresno police officers, have filled it out.

She says it will remain open so everyone can have their voices heard.

"The mayor and the city manager are committed to ensuring that the process is transparent and inclusive and so we intend to keep the community informed every step of the way," said Rose.

A decision on the city's next police chief is expected by the beginning of next year.

The city's former chief, Paco Balderrama, resigned over the summer following an investigation into an inappropriate off-duty relationship with an officer's wife.

Since then, Deputy Chief Mindy Casto has been serving as interim chief.

Click here to register for the Zoom meeting. This link will also allow access to all four meetings.

A survey will also remain active in four different languages throughout the search:

• Click here for the survey in ENGLISH
• Click here for the survey in SPANISH
• Click here for the survey in HMONG
• Click here for the survey in PUNJAB

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