Over 20 officers sworn in during Fresno PD ceremony
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FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE) – The Fresno Police Department is adding to its ranks.
22 officers were sworn in, as well as other police professional staff like dispatchers and park rangers.
“There’s other large cities here in California that are 1,200 people short or 700 to 600 people short. So here in Fresno, we’re very fortunate,” said Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama.
The department now has 878 officers -926 would make it fully staffed, but Chief Balderrama says the additions will make a difference.
“We’re going to be focused on auto theft, organized retail theft, catalytic converter theft, and we’re already seeing some decline in those areas, but also just being able to quickly investigate crime,” Balderrama said.
Fresno Mayor and former chief Jerry Dyer offering words of advice.
“Treat every single person you come in contact with as if it’s a loved one in your family and if you do that you will have served well. God bless you. Thank you,” Dyer said.
And the current chief made two extra requests.
“I ask that you give me everything you have each and every day and I ask for the next 20 to 30 years,” Balderrama said.
