This past year has been a very challenging, yet rewarding year for our agency and for me on a personal level. On March 5th, I had the distinct honor of being installed as the President of the California Police Chiefs Association. This honor was magnified as the Installation banquet and annual Cal Chief’s conference was held in Fresno giving us the opportunity to showcase our department and our city. Captain Mike Reid, the Conference Chair, and his team did an incredible job to make this the most memorable conference in our history.

On April 16th, a tragic incident occurred on the Roosevelt High School campus when School Resource Officer Junus Perry was attacked from behind by a student who struck Junus on the head with a bat forcing Junus to take the young man’s life. Fortunately, Junus is recovering from his injuries and we are hopeful that he will return to full duty soon.

Controlling crime, responding timely to emergency calls for service, and enhancing traffic safety continue to be the focus of our department. Since 2001,violent crime in our city has fallen by 32%, and response times to life threatening calls for service have decreased by 34%. Additionally, since expanding our traffic safety efforts in 2002, traffic fatalities have dropped dramatically by 42%. To put this in perspective, our traffic safety efforts have kept 100 families from having to bury a loved one over this period of time. The department’s focused approach to policing coupled with citizen involvement is the foundation for these successes.

It is very apparent that 2009 will be a very challenging time for policing. The economic downturn, increased unemployment rates, rise in alcohol consumption and drug use, have created an irritable and unpredictable society that will negatively influence crime rates and police – community relations across our country. Our policing style must be flexible as we continue to focus on keeping our citizens safe, while recognizing resource limitations and the need to rely more on citizen involvement. I am confident members of our department, along with our community are up for the challenge.

Thank you for your continued support and trust in our agency and for allowing me to serve as your police chief.

Jerry P. Dyer
Chief of Police