Fresno city officials are revealing more about the search for a new police chief just days after Paco Balderrama resigned.
Action News spoke with Mayor Jerry Dyer about the search on Friday. He is meeting with City Manager Georgeanne White next week.
“We’re actually going to talk about not only the process as it moves forward but potential search firms that we’d be utilizing for a national search,” Dyer said.
The process could cost upwards of $50,000 and take several months.
Dyer says the firm will ultimately deliver about six applicants to city leaders.
“We only have one opportunity to do it right,” he said.
“When you’re looking for a police chief, you’re really looking for a very unique individual.”
The search comes after the city investigated Paco Balderrama for months, probing an “inappropriate, off-duty relationship” officials say he had with the wife of an officer.
The investigation found Balderrama did not abuse his authority.
While the probe was underway, Balderrama faced pressure from members of his own rank. The Fresno Police Officers Association said officers lost trust in department leadership.