Civil Service Board
TL;DR
The Civil Service Board held a hearing regarding a potential violation of police department policy by an unnamed officer. After a lengthy closed-door session, the board voted unanimously to sustain two charges against the officer, effectively upholding a previous suspension order.
Key Decisions
- Violation of City Municipal Code 3-286(a) Sustained (3-0)
- Violation of Police Department Policy 316.6 Code Response Sustained (3-0)
Agenda
- Present on behalf of appointing authority was Deputy City Attorney III; Virginia Madrid-Salazar. The appellants representative; Attorney at Law; Roger Wilson was also present. A Hearing on Appeal was set for Tuesday, November 4th, 2025.
- At 9:20 a.m the board convened into executive session to discuss the following ID item 25-990. At 9:30am the board reconvened to closed session. Present on behalf of Appointing Authority was Brian Velez, the appellants representative was present; Roger Wilson. A motion was made by member Hardie and seconded by member Cregar to uphold the Hearing Officers Recommendations with modifications that adhere to the City of Fresno's Policies.
- Present on behalf of Appointing Authority was Deputy City Attorney III; Brian Velez, appellant also present. Board to uphold Directors Review decision that the applicant does not meet minimum qualifications for the position.
- Present on behalf of Appointing Authority was Attorney at Law; Joe Rubin who accepted the Hearing Officers Recommendations.
- At 10:00 a.m The Board convened into Closed Session and the Hearing on the Appeal began. Present on behalf of Appointing Authority was Assistant City Attorney; Jennifer DeRuosi and Department Deputy Police Chief; Burke Farrah. The appellant was present with representative, Attorney at Law; J.R. Oviedo. Witnesses were sequestered and the reading of the Order was waived and moved into the record. Exhibits of evidence were presented during testimony and they were filed and moved into the record. At 12:20 p.m., following the summaries and closing remarks from the parties, the Board convened into Executive session to deliberate this matter. At 12:40 p.m., the Board reconvened into Closed Session and voted on the charges as read by Brittany Blanco, Acting Secretary Designee. Present for report of Decision from the Board on behalf of the Appointing Authority were Assistant City Attorney Jennifer DeRuosi, Department Deputy Police Chief; Burke Farrah. Substitute Board Counsel; Matthew Lear, Acting Secretary Designee; Brittany Blanco, Assistant Director of Personnel; Jennifer Misner. The Board proposed action on a motion by Member Hardie, seconded by Member Cregar, that the order of suspension be upheld. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye 3: Board Member Hardie, Board Member Cregar and Chair McDonald The charge of violation of FMC 3-286 (a) as set for in the Order was SUSTAINED with a 3-0 vote. The charge of violation of Fresno Police Department Policy 316.6 Code Response as set for in the Order was SUSTAINED with a 3-0 vote. At 12:40 p.m. the Board convened into Open Session. There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 12:41 p.m.
- 9:00 A.M. ROLL CALL In substitute of James McCann, Board Counsel was Matthew Lear and represented the Board. Also present was Acting Secretary Designee; Brittany Blanco, Assistant Director; Jennifer Misner, Assistant City Attorney; Jennifer DeRuosi, Deputy City Attorney III; Virginia Madrid-Salazar, Deputy City Attorney III; Brian Velez, outside Counsel; Joseph Rubin, Attorney at Law; Roger Wilson, and appellants.
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- OLD BUSINESS
- NEW BUSINESS
- HEARING ON APPEAL
- UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATION
- Members of the public may address the Civil Service Board regarding items that are not listed on the Agenda and within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board. Each person is limited to a three (3) minute presentation. Board action on unscheduled items, if any, shall be limited to referring the item to staff for a report and possible scheduling on a future Civil Service Board agenda.
- ADJOURNMENT