‘A mistake doesn’t define you’: Former Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama speaks to CBS47

FRESNO, Calif. ( KGPE ) – In an exclusive television interview with former chief of the Fresno Police Department, Paco Balderrama told CBS47’s Brian Dorman that he thinks the worst is behind him and his family.

“I can tell you there’s life after tragedy and crisis. We are in a good place. I can say still kinda raw. You know, still healing a little bit,” said Paco Balderrama.

For the first time since resigning as the chief of the Fresno Police Department , Paco Balderrama spoke about his future now that he has turned in his badge.

“You saw my press release I said, I own this. This is my mistake and mine only. That was a request for forgiveness, but also a plea. If you’re going to attack me, attack me, but don’t put this out there to where children are involved so that was pretty despicable.”

It has been nearly a month since the former police chief resigned from the police department that he led for three and a half years.

“I feel like I 100% made the right decision by walking away. I feel it was the best for my family, first and foremost, the department during this time, maybe City Hall, too, and for me. It was the best decision.”

In February, Balderrama self-reported his a ffair . An investigation by the city ensued and by the end of June, Balderrama announced he was stepping down . His resignation became official on July 25, 2024. It has been suggested that he lost the support of the police force because of what he had done — something he disagrees with.

“I don’t think that that’s true. It’s politics and I’m not a politician so I will just leave it at that…you got a handful of people that are focused on what they feel they need to do and I’m okay with that.”

The former police chief says he will not talk about the affair because it is no one else’s business.

“As I stated before, there’s families involved so they should be cognizant of that.”

The focus of his exclusive television interview with CBS47 turned from how his time with the Fresno Police Department ended, to what he is most proud of.

“I think I’m most proud of the relationships I made. I think I’m most proud of the friends I found here.”

“I may have been the chief but I’m more proud of the people out there doing the work. Frankly, we are outperforming 90% of the police departments in America and these are stats, these are facts. We were on pace in 2021 to have 124 homicides, the same as Oakland and we were able to reduce that.”

Paco Balderrama’s biggest disappointment, he says, was not getting the chance to say goodbye. He wishes he could have said this to his officers in person:

“Number one, I love you. Number two, thank you for just doing a better job than I thought they could. Three, thank you for loving the city and caring about this community and lastly, you have a lot to be proud of, hold your head high.”

As far as the job goes, he says he does not miss it.

“It is incredible how heavy the weight of the job is. It’s like taking 2,000 pounds off my back and what is that? It’s the responsibility of every life in the community.”

He was happiest when talking about his family.

“I can tell you my wife is an extremely resilient person, a very strong person.”

And his new full-time job is being Dad to his three children.

“I’m there in the moment, I’m not distracted by phone calls and emails and worry and preparation for the next whatever… I can tell you the relationship with my kids is better than ever.”

As for Paco’s potential future in Austin, Texas, he says it is not the right time.

“It doesn’t stand. It’s not the right fit. It’s too soon. It’s too soon for them, it’s too soon for me. The biggest mistake I could do right now is go from a very stressful job to a crisis in the family to another stressful job. I think I’ll stop right here and focus on the family for as long as I need to before anything else.”

Paco Balderrama says he plans to take a break from policing.

“I just like being dad right now. I just like being dad. That’s the best title I’ve ever had and no one can take that away from you.”

For now, Balderrama says he and his family plan on staying in Fresno. He is looking into jobs in the private sector — and has already started his own business . He also talked about the future of the Fresno Police Department.

“If anyone in the police department needs me for whatever reason I’m just a phone call away. I would never not help them for any reason.”

After almost four years of service to the community of Fresno, Paco reflects on his time with the department.

“I gave my heart and soul to the FPD for the past three-and-a-half years. I can’t give any more than I gave. You know, I worked extremely hard, I leaned on my people and empowered them so they could do their jobs and that’s why they were successful. I gave it my best and you know what? We saved lives. We saved property. We grew the department.”

The former police chief ended by revealing something the experience had taught him.

“A mistake doesn’t define you forever. As much as people want to do that and label you one way or another, you’re not that. Everybody makes mistakes. Mine were unfairly public, but you know, there’s people out there have done worse.”

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