About Fresno P.D.
This has been an exciting year for the Fresno Police Department, filled with emotional highs and lows. On February 20th, 2007, Motorcycle Officers Gil Holguin and Rafael Davies and Sergeant Charlie Chamalbide were shot during a traffic stop and the ensuing vehicle pursuit throughout the streets of Fresno. An innocent bystander was also shot by the suspect. Based on heroic efforts by the officers, the suspect was fatally wounded. The officers and bystander survived their wounds.
On July 12th, 2007, Motorcycle Officer Eric Santos was seriously injured when his motorcycle struck another vehicle which had crossed in front of him. Thanks to God's protective hand upon him and to a great medical team, Eric has since returned to full duty.
Once again Fresno saw a decrease in crime, resulting in a 43-year low in the crime index. In 2007 violent crime fell by 13.7% and property crime fell by 10.5%. To put this in perspective, in the past 6 years the population of Fresno has grown by more than 45,000 people, yet there were 10,936 fewer crime victims in 2007 than in 2001. Although these decreases bring a great deal of satisfaction to our organization, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to further reduce crime.
Traffic safety continues to be a top priority for our department. Once again, this past year the Department won state and national awards for our traffic safety efforts; these awards include the International Association of Chiefs of Police DUI Award for having the number one impaired driving program in the nation, and the national Governor's Highway Safety Association's highest honors, the Peter K. O'Rourke Award. Since 2002, injury collisions have decreased by 30.9% and fatal collisions have fallen by 48%. Over this period of time, 78 fewer families have had to bury a loved one as a result of a traffic collision in our city.
I hope you find our website to be informative. Thank you for your support and trust in our agency.
Jerry P. Dyer
Chief of Police