Fresno Police Department


The Fresno Police Department is responsible for policing the city of Fresno, California. The Chief of Police is Andy Hall. The city experiences between 30 and 69 willful homicides in a typical year. In 2005, the department had 807 sworn personnel and 406 non-sworn personnel.

History

In 2017, the department's second-in-command, Keith Foster, was tried on charges of conspiring to distribute heroin, marijuana and oxycodone.
In April 2019, the department's long-time head, Jerry Dyer, retired.
In October 2019, the department gained notoriety when the police chief, Andy Hall, said that the April 2017 shooting of a 16-year old boy in the back of the head as he ran away was justified, despite video showing that the police sergeant Ray fired a single shot into the back of the boy's head.

Structure

Proactive units in patrol, working a variety of immediate problems to include: parole violators, wanted persons, drug houses, sex offenders, gang problems, and crime trends.
Established under the leadership of Chief Jerry Dyer in April 2002 as part of a department-wide reorganization. In an effort to make the response to crime more prompt, District Crime Suppression Teams are assigned to the individual district commanders as a pro-active crime fighting resource. The District Crime Suppression Teams are composed of ten supervisors and sixty officers. There are two teams in each policing district.

Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)

Since 1974, the Fresno Police Department has provided a ready response to situations that were beyond the capabilities of normally equipped and trained department members. During this time the Fresno SWAT team has affected the arrest of hundreds of violent criminals and received scores of commendations.
The first SWAT team consisted of six members. These members received training from the FBI at the FBI Academy in Quantico VA. The current SWAT team is made up of 26 members. The team is broken down into two six-person entry elements each led by a sergeant, one ten-person perimeter team, also led by a sergeant, and four snipers. The snipers are directed by a sniper coordinator who is also a sergeant assigned to the Command Vehicle. A Lieutenant commands the team.
The four team members assigned as snipers attend a basic sniper course as well as advanced training courses. Snipers train on moving targets, firing through barriers, and precision shooting to 400 yards.
The SWAT team also trains with the Crisis Negotiators from the Fresno Police Department and SWAT teams from allied agencies.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EOD)

The Fresno Police Department's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit was created in 1974, and has a long-distinguished history, rising from the inspiration of a few unique individuals who were determined to establish a bomb squad to meet the needs of a growing city. From handmade tools and perseverance, a modern, accredited squad with state-of-the-art equipment has emerged.
After completing the reorganization and expansion of the unit from two to six technicians in 1999, an explosives bunker with bank-like security was constructed and dedicated. Advance preparation paid off, and the unit was able to assist during the tragedy of September 11, 2001, going full-time as the city's first Anti-Terrorism Unit. Approximately one year later, after the creation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the members of the unit returned to their primary duties: remaining on-call to handle a myriad of hazardous devices.
Some of the unit's most recent advancements include a new, technologically advanced robot, increased detection and disruption capabilities, and a state-of-the-art total containment vehicle. The unit has taken on roles never envisioned, with the threat of biological, chemical, and radiological improvised devices in our future. Homicide bombers, large vehicle-borne bombs, international airport safety, target hardening, dignitary protection, hazardous materials, and education are just a few disciplines that require technicians to train constantly and remain ever-vigilant.
The Fresno Police Department's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit remains focused to face the challenges of a world thrown into uncertainty with the ever-present threat of terrorism.

Career Criminal Auto Theft Team (CCATT)

In March 2011, the Fresno Police Department created the Career Criminal Auto Theft Team. The mission of CCATT is to reduce the auto theft rate in Fresno by aggressively targeting career criminal auto thieves for investigation, apprehension, and prosecution, while engaging the community in auto theft prevention. Team members use a combination of traditional and innovative investigative techniques to apprehend and prosecute prolific auto thieves preying on Fresno residents. Working in concert with district auto theft detectives, District Crime Suppression Teams, and patrol officers, CCATT members identify and target suspects involved in multiple auto thefts, auto theft rings, and "chop shops". Active surveillance, confidential informants, technology, search warrants, parole and probation searches, and business inspections are used to locate evidence of auto theft and related crimes. Associated felony crimes, such as gang crimes, identity theft, narcotics trafficking and firearms violations, are investigated and prosecuted with assistance from Fresno MAGEC, Fresno PD Investigations Division, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and other available law enforcement resources. In every case possible, CCATT will seek federal prosecution and incarceration for auto theft crimes committed in Fresno.
Prevention efforts focus on engaging the community in education and target hardening. Public Service Announcements, media releases, community meetings, and service clubs inform the public of our efforts to fight auto theft, its link to serious and violent crime, and our residents' ability to prevent becoming a victim of auto theft. In 2011, CCATT shut down 50 chop shops, identified 32 auto theft crews, arrested 331 suspects, recovered 74 firearms, and recovered 520 stolen vehicles. By bringing together the law enforcement community and the public, the daily auto theft rate was reduced in Fresno from 20 cars per day down to 10 per day. In the first two months of 2012, auto theft in Fresno is down 35%, compared with the same two months of 2011. People with information about auto theft crime in the Fresno area are asked to call 621-CCAT. All information will be kept confidential.

Air Support

Starting in 1996 with three piston-driven helicopters and then moving to two American Eurocopter EC 120 turbine helicopters. The Air Unit has logged over 5,700 accident-free flight hours in the new turbine powered helicopters and a total of 19,634 accident-free helicopter flight hours since 1996. The Air Support Unit has also added a Cessna 206 airplane to the fleet to assist with homeland defense missions.
Both helicopters are fully equipped with the latest and greatest state-of-the-art airborne law enforcement equipment such as: FLIR, a 30 million candle power Night Sun searchlight, MDS computer, Aerocomputer Moving Map, along with ProNet and Lo Jack receivers.
Skywatch currently has one sworn Police Helicopter Chief Pilot, one sworn Police Helicopter Command Pilot, one civilian Helicopter Command Pilot, three sworn Police Helicopter Tactical Flight Officers, one sworn Police Sergeant Fixed-Wing Command Pilot, one part-time sworn Police Sergeant Fixed-Wing Command Pilot, one Police Captain, and two civilian mechanics.

Traffic Unit

The Fresno Police Department's Traffic Bureau has grown from 22 officers to 76 officers, who have made significant improvements in traffic safety in the community. The Traffic Bureau has area traffic units that handle collisions and traffic complaints in each of the five policing districts. There are 16 "Metro" traffic officers who issue citations on Fresno's most collision-prone streets. These officers do not handle calls for service, as their main goal is to change poor driver behavior and prevent collisions before they occur. Throughout the evening hours there is a 34 officer "Neighborhood Traffic Unit" that targets impaired drivers and works special operations as needed.

Mounted Patrol

The Fresno Police Mounted Patrol was formed on July 12, 1999 and has gone through extensive training for several years. The training consists of equitation, crowd control tactics, formation riding, police tactics and stimulus training, and many other things. Currently one part-time officer and one sergeant are assigned to the MPU. The Unit is now staffed by 8 Reserve Police Officers and 5 collateral duty Police Officers. The MPU perform standard police functions: make arrests, conduct investigations, issue citations and handle routine calls. In addition, the MPU is used for special events, crowd control and park problems.
There are currently seven horses in the MPU. The horses are all Standard Bred horses and range from 14 years of age to 4 years of age. Five of the horses are fully trained and ready for deployment. The two newest horses are currently undergoing training before being certified for duty.
Each officer that is assigned to the Mounted Unit must attend a 40-hour P.O.S.T. course that is taught by our in house training staff. The MPU also holds monthly training that each officer must attend.

K9 Unit

The Fresno Police Department canine unit was founded in March 1993. Originally there were seven dogs that assisted in searches and arrests. Today the department has 14 patrol dogs, four cross-trained for narcotics detection and three cross-trained explosive ordnance dogs. The K-9 unit works on all three shifts, to give the city 24-hour coverage in all five of the city's policing districts. The K-9s are specially trained in locating, controlling and apprehending criminal suspects, locating missing or lost persons, evidence location, narcotics detection and protecting their handler from harm.
Fresno PD Police Service Dog Memorial: In November, 2007 the unit dedicated the K-9 memorial for all of the Fresno Police Service dogs that have died. The memorial was made possible by donations from the citizens of Fresno.
Training Facilities: The Fresno Police Department maintains a training facility at the Duncan Polytechnic Agricultural Farm. The farm also houses the Fresno Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit.
facilities include an obedience field, obstacle course, and several areas to conduct multiple searches and other exercises.
K-9 Patrol Units: The K-9 patrol cars are standard police units modified for transporting our dogs. Instead of having a back seat the units have a specially made dog cage, and electric doors that may be opened remotely by the handlers. Some of the special features you may not notice include a ventilation system, windows that automatically go down when the temperature in the interior of the car gets too high. The car will also activate the lights and siren and send a signal to the K-9 officer's pager warning him of the problem.

Video Policing

The Fresno Police Department's Video Policing Program began in 2005. Working with the community, the Department developed policies and procedures to use the latest in video technology to fight crime, while protecting the privacy interests of the public. The first test cameras were installed at Manchester Center, followed by additional cameras at Roeding Park in 2007. Advances in technology allowed Video Policing to grow rapidly in 2008, resulting in ninety-three cameras placed throughout Fresno. Nine police cadets monitor these cameras around the clock. They watch for pending disturbances and crimes in progress, and assist officers by retrieving recorded evidence from the system. To further ensure the integrity of the Program, a retired Federal Judge has volunteered to audit the process. The Video Policing Program has successfully assisted officers in the arrest and prosecution of suspects in shootings, stabbings, drunk driving accidents, assaults, prostitution, and drug trafficking.

Citizens On Patrol (COP)

In August 1996, Department members and an advisory board of Neighborhood Watch members began work on creating volunteer program. Law enforcement agencies in California, Arizona, Washington, and England were contacted, and an analysis of their volunteer programs was initiated and completed.
The combined research, Department tours, interviews with supervisors, volunteers and field officers led to the foundation of the Fresno Police Department's "Citizens on Patrol" program. An academy was developed and the first members graduated on February 25, 1997. Since then, several hundred residents have passed through the academy's doors. Many have gone on to law enforcement careers, having become police officers, police reserves, and/or community service officers.
The responsibilities of the Citizens on Patrol have varied and are growing as time goes by. The following are some of the duties performed by the members: High visibility non-confrontational patrol, Assisting officers/community service officers as needed, Traffic control, Storing/impounding marked abandoned vehicles, Crime scene preservation, Re-supply of district stations, Search for missing children/adults, Book property, Transport department vehicles, Transport victims/witnesses, Operate radar display boards, Handicap parking enforcement, Assist at special events, and Holiday patrol of shopping centers.
Monthly training sessions are held to update COP members. Training is also held on a monthly basis to address concerns specific to the district that the individual COP is assigned to.
entire team is made up of five units. One unit is assigned to each of the policing districts in the City of Fresno. there is also a traffic unit that is assigned to the Department's traffic Bureau. That unit works on functions citywide.
Each unit is made up of a team leader, a co-team leader and additional assignments that the team leader feels is necessary. These positions oversee the regular members, while each district unit is under the direct supervision of a sergeant.
All personnel issues are handled at the district level. When a recruit completes the COP academy and is assigned to a unit, field-training begins and is tailored to the needs of the individual district.
On July 1, 2010, a new unit of COP's was rolled out. The COP Specialist, was added to better serve the community of Fresno. These Specialists completed an additional 44 hours of course work and additional hours of training in the field. Their primary mission is to relieve the officers from lower priority calls, such as Vehicle Burglary, Vehicle Vandalism, and Petty Theft, so that the officers may be available for higher priority calls. At this time, there are only 10 members department wide.

Ranks

Weapons

FPD officers are issued the Beretta Px4 Storm chambered for.40 S&W and some have a TLR-1 flashlight attached to the pistol. One of the holsters used is the Safariland 6280.
Prior to the Beretta Px4 Storm FPD issued officers the Beretta 96F which is a.40 caliber version of the Beretta 92. The Remington 870 shotgun is utilized by officers as are variants of the AR-15. SWAT officers are issued M4 Carbine variants, Beretta ARX-160, Heckler & Koch MP5, and the Remington 700 is also used for situations.

Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the Fresno Police Department, 12 officers have died in the line of duty.
OfficerDate of DeathDetails
Thursday, February 21, 1907
Gunfire
Thursday, October 10, 1907Gunfire
Monday, May 15, 1911
Train accident
Sunday, April 16, 1916
Gunfire
Monday, July 31, 1922
Gunfire
Thursday, January 15, 1931
Gunfire
Thursday, January 22, 1931
Gunfire
Monday, October 7, 1946
Motorcycle accident
Monday, August 20, 1973
Gunfire
Saturday, December 8, 1979
Gunfire
Saturday, July 4, 1981
Heart attack
Tuesday, June 21, 1994
Vehicle pursuit

CALEA

accredited the Fresno Police Department on July 30, 2005. In April 2008 the department successfully completed the re-accreditation.
The Fresno Police Department is the largest municipal law enforcement agency in California to achieve this award. As of September 2009, only fourteen other agencies in California have become accredited by CALEA, with nine others currently in the self-assessment phase; one of those is the California Highway Patrol.
there are over 448 standards the department must meet to get accreditation and then hold that.

Fresno Police Officers Association

FPOA members receive augmented health vision and dental benefits along with legal advice and defense and survivor support and benefits

History

The Fresno Police Officers' Association was founded in the early 1900s, known first as the Widow and Orphan's Organization. As the name implied, the organization provided assistance to the families of its members. Some time later, the name changed to the Fresno Police Relief Association, and in 1951, was incorporated. Services of the organization expanded by this time and emphasis was placed on improving the benefits, salary, and working conditions of the FPOA member. The name was once again changed in 1975 to its current name, although it is usually referred to simply as the FPOA. Although the FPOA has undergone many transformations during the 100+ years it has been in existence, its primary purpose remains the same: Service.
Fresno Police Department has maintained its accreditation since originally earned in 2005 through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. The Fresno Police Department is the largest municipality in California to achieve such distinction and only one of 16 in the entire state that that is accredited.

Leadership

The current president of the FPOA is Todd Fraizer, sworn officer of the department. The FPOA Board of Directors, consist of 18 elected positions: Three officers, 12 Directors at Large, one staff Director and two Retiree Directors. Board members serve without compensation. In addition to the Board of Directors, Representatives for various divisions are also appointed to enhance communications and represent the needs of the officers to the Board. FPOA members are welcome to attend monthly Board meetings,

Fresno Police Department Credit Union

Founded On December 3, 1954, The Fresno Police Department Credit Union serves only members of the Fresno police department and their families. Its original location was in one of the rooms at the old police department in downtown Fresno; it now serves almost 4000 members.
The current headquarters are located at 1004 N. Van Ness, which is the only branch office. They are a full service credit union with over $35 million in assets.

Regional Training Facility

The research and study for the need of a dedicated law enforcement training center began in the 1990s. Members of the training unit visited a number of law enforcement training centers throughout the state examining types of components, users, business plans, funding sources, budgets, personnel, etc. In 1999 the state designated Fresno a Regional Law Enforcement Training Center
In 2004, the 2025 Public Safety Needs Assessment was conducted identifying the need for a training facility. In 2005, the Fresno City Council approved a Uniform Growth Management fee to provide support for public benefit projects. The Regional Training Center is 49% funded by these fees. The remaining 51% is funded by the General Fund, but that funding is offset by revenue generated by the center that comes from a variety of sources including POST, FCC, and other agencies.
In 2007, after reviewing a number of potential locations, 78 acres of land was acquired to utilize as the site for the training center. This site allowed for room to conduct realistic law enforcement training without impacting residential or commercial properties in the area.
In April 2009 the Fresno City Council approved the construction contracts to build the training center at a cost of approximately 12.8 million dollars. Ground breaking took place in May 2009.
The City and the Air National Guard have already entered into a 25-year user agreement for $560,000. Other revenue generation is also occurring with billings to POST and FCC for courses that have already taken place and payments from other agencies for classes that will occur in the near future.
The very best training is that which is realistic. The most efficient training occurs when the results can be combined all in one location. With programmable targeting systems that present a variety of good guy/bad guy scenarios, high & low speed vehicle operations, state of the art classrooms, a mat room for arrest & control and defensive tactics, and other training tools, the facility provides realistic training that is challenging and meaningful to area law enforcement personnel.
The law enforcement training center covers 80 acres in southwest Fresno, and features classrooms, an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course, firearms range, a "mat room," and it opened in summer 2010.