Fresno leaders celebrate Jerry Dyer's 15th year as chief despite tumultuous year

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- At a gala packed with city leaders, Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said he has enjoyed his years of service but said there have also been ups-and-downs along the way.

Saturday's gala at the Fresno Convention Center was put on by private donations and honored Dyer's 15 years as head of the Fresno Police Department.

"The average span of a major city chief is around four years," Dyer told the crowd. "So, to be able to last 15 years into the job is good."

The man being recognized shared some of the accomplishments he's most proud of during his tenure.

"The number of fatal traffic collisions we've had in the city, we've been able to cut that down by half," Dyer said. "And the same with our efforts against gangs and violence in our city."

But Dyer said through the year that this last year has been the most challenging. He's dealt with losing his second-in-command who was arrested for allegedly distributing and possessing drugs in March of 2015.

Then in June, one of his officers was involved in a shooting that left a 19-year-old man dead following a traffic stop in southeast Fresno. That story got national attention and resulted in a number of local protests in the city.

"It seems like people out in the community have lost confidence and lost trust in police departments," Dyer said.

Some of those people stood outside the convention center protesting Dyer's event but police said the rally was peaceful.

However, Dyer said despite the downfalls, he is going to continue to work to improve relationships of trust in Fresno.

"That's near and dear to me," he said. "And I want to see us through it continue to build those relationships and I'm confident in time we will be able to regain that support and trust."