Nationwide search for Fresno's next police chief underway

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The City of Fresno has selected a firm to conduct a nationwide search for the next police chief.

The city says Public Sector Search and Consulting, which specializes exclusively in the recruitment of police executives, will begin the search immediately.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer says that out of the seven organizations that applied, they chose the company out of Rocklin, California, due to their experience finding executives.

"Was the fact that they had been very successful in police chief searches nationwide; they have police chiefs that are on staff that are going to be the ones involved in the interviewing," said Mayor Dyer.

The community will also have a chance for their voices to be heard through surveys and meetings.

Councilmember Garry Bredefeld says he wants someone with integrity.

"I like somebody who has tremendous experience, I like somebody who understands how to work within a community, has a strong background in terms of leadership," said Bredefeld.

Councilmember Mike Karbassi hopes current Interim Police Chief Mindy Casto puts her hat in the ring.

"I have full confidence in deputy chief Mindy Casto and I hope she applies," said Karbassi.

"It's her 26 years of experience as a police officer. She is great at her job, and I think that she has a lot of confidence from the community, but she also deserves that process as well to ensure that she is the best candidate."

Dyer calls the chief, one of the most critical employees in Fresno, and says it will take time to find the right person for the job.

"Fresno's a tough place to be the police chief of. I know I served in that position for 18 years, we had limited resources with a lot of crime, and it made the job that much more challenging. We need to get the right person who can fit that bill," said Dyer.

Residents can provide input through a survey or by participating in one of four virtual community meetings happening October 18, 19, 22 and 23.

The links for the survey and virtual community meetings will become available next week, the city says. The survey will also remain active in four different languages throughout the search.

This summer, Paco Balderrama resigned from his position as the police chief following an investigation into an off-duty relationship with the wife of a Fresno police officer.

Casto has been in charge of the police department since Balderrama's departure.

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