Fresno has a new police chief, and she’s a force to be reckoned with! Chief Mindy Casto is a dedicated law enforcement professional with nearly three decades of experience. She is committed to reducing violent crime, enhancing service levels, and strengthening professionalism in the Fresno Police Department (PD). A proud Central Valley native, she exemplifies how a single ride-along gave way to a career that rose through the ranks of the Fresno PD. Now, Chief Casto is responsible for the safety of California’s fifth-largest city, with a population of over one million. “I am honored to serve as Fresno’s Police Chief and to lead the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep our city safe,” declares Chief Mindy Casto. Empathizing with the force, she says, “They do the hard work on the streets, often in difficult circumstances, and I will always ensure they are recognized and supported. Together, we will continue our mission to protect, serve, and build trust with our community.”

Chief Casto was raised in Caruthers, a small town south of Fresno, and is a proud fourth-generation Californian and Central Valley resident. “I have never lived anywhere else and have no interest in doing so,” Mindy assures. However, police work wasn’t her initial career plan. “I was always interested in growing things and animals—agriculture,” she recalls. “I thought I would go into ag business, as I was involved in the FFA (Future Farmers of America) until I went on my first ride-along with Fresno PD.” It was then that she recognized law enforcement to be her true calling. “Growing up in a farming family, it’s very relevant to law enforcement,” she likens. “A strong work ethic was instilled from the beginning and also a willingness to get your hands dirty in order to accomplish great things.”

Mindy joined the Fresno Police Department in 1996 as a cadet and attended the police academy a year later. “Before I was hired as a Fresno Police officer, hundreds of people would test and compete for every position. With some federal hiring grants, Fresno PD was able to hire several large groups, and I was hired as a police officer in 1997.” Prior to earning her badge, Mindy enrolled at Fresno City College (FCC) until she was hired by the Fresno PD. “I also attended FCC police academy, where I was #1 in my class. I didn’t go back to finish my degree until years later…I spent some time at Fresno State, but ultimately attained my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from California Coast University, an online school.”

Chief Castro has dedicated her career to serving and protecting the people of Fresno. “Being the one to answer the call when someone dials 911 was one of the things that drew me to law enforcement,” Mindy reveals. “Arriving to help solve the problem, whatever it may be, and make someone feel safe again is very rewarding and something you never get tired of.” Chief Casto does not have any family in law enforcement, “but my first ride along was with Mayor Dyer’s sister, who was a Fresno Police officer and family friend.” Over three decades later, it was Mayor Jerry Dyer—formerly of the Fresno PD and the longest-tenured police chief in Fresno’s history—and City Manager Georgeanne White who announced Mindy Casto’s appointment as the 24th Chief of the Fresno PD on February 12th, 2025.

It’s easy to see how Mindy’s upbringing informs her approach as a law enforcement officer and now as Police Chief. From a young age, she was taught, “You should never feel like serving others is beneath you, and you should never say, ‘That’s not my job’ if you want to be successful in your field,” she recounts. “My grandparents and parents valued hard work above most everything else, and I learned how important it is to make yourself useful every chance you get.” As Fresno’s Police Chief, she is ultimately responsible for the Fresno PD. “Day to day, I work with my management team of deputy chiefs, captains, and lieutenants to solve problems of all sorts, to include crime increases, personnel matters, resource management among many other things. It is also my role to serve as an example to members of our department, working to build and maintain the trust of our community with every decision I make.”

This is a role she takes seriously, yet it wasn’t always her ambition to be in her current position. “Being chief of police was not something I considered until after I was appointed as the interim chief,” Mindy admits. “Once I started serving in that capacity, it became clear to me how badly Fresno wanted a hometown chief…someone who knows the people, the culture, and the struggles of those living and working in our community. I think ‘changing of the guard’ back to someone local demonstrates how important it is that our leadership be connected to the everyday residents of Fresno.” Chief Casto is, by her own acknowledgement, “a very practical person, so I’m not big on ideology or symbolic actions. I always try to do what’s best for the residents of our city and the officers who keep it safe. I’m not here to make a name for myself or seek attention on the national stage. I’m here to do the best I can for Fresno and make improvements in our department wherever possible.”

Throughout her nearly 30-year career, Chief Casto has risen through the ranks of the Fresno PD, starting as a Police Explorer and eventually being named Interim Chief of Police. This progression demonstrates her deep commitment to public safety, community policing, and department modernization. Mindy has held leadership positions across multiple divisions, including Patrol, Investigations, Internal Affairs, and Support Services, overseeing critical crime reduction efforts, officer training programs, and major department initiatives.

“Arriving to help solve the problem, whatever it may be, and make someone feel safe again is very rewarding and something you never get tired of.”

During the official appointment announcement of Mindy’s appointment, Mayor Jerry Dyer recognized, “She is an outstanding leader who understands the challenges officers face daily and will be a strong advocate for them. She also has decades of historical perspective in addressing challenges which will help her in this role.” City Manager Georgeanne White added, “Chief Casto’s leadership is grounded in experience, integrity, and a deep respect for the men and women of the Fresno Police Department. She is committed to supporting our officers as they do one of the most difficult jobs in public service while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.”

The fact remains that her job isn’t easy. “Some days are harder than others,” Mindy concedes. “As chief, you take responsibility when things go bad and give credit to your team when things go well. Regardless of what mood you’re in or how much you’re worried about behind the scenes, you have to keep it together and stay positive for your officers and the community. As the leader of something much bigger than yourself, you have to put the best interests of the people you serve above all else.” Her goals are to “Keep our officers and residents safe, maintain violent crime reductions, increase service levels on non-emergency calls for service, and enhance the professionalism of our department members to ensure we continue to build and maintain the trust of our community.”

Over the years, Chief Casto has witnessed the evolving role of police in our community. “Police don’t just focus on law enforcement anymore,” Mindy reveals. “We have to be mental health workers to some degree. Mental health-related issues permeate a great many of the calls for service we receive. We have invested heavily in crisis intervention and de-escalation training to meet the evolving needs of our community, to include partnerships with Fresno County Behavioral Health.” Mindy’s experience with violent crime investigations, crisis response, policy development, labor negotiations, community relations, and technology implementation informs her methodology as chief and shapes the future of the Fresno PD.

Chief Casto continues to play a pivotal role in advancing public safety through innovation, securing funding for equipment and AI-driven policing solutions, and enhancing officer training to develop a more professional and efficient police force. The work is ongoing, and her spirit remains inspiring. She is thus helping to pave the way for a better Fresno. “I like to challenge people that if they want to make a real difference, become a police officer in Fresno,” she urges. “Every single day you will have the opportunity to make a big difference in the lives of others. I tell our newly hired officers at every swearing-in ceremony that they might not change the world, but they can change the world for one person on every call they handle. I also tell them that nothing worth doing is easy, and that becoming a Fresno Police officer is a worthy challenge.”

Being Fresno’s police chief is a 24/7 job. “Right now, I’m all about settling in as chief of police … and preparing the succession plan for the next generation of leadership in the Fresno Police Department,” Mindy shares about her new professional life. “When I’m able to, I like reformer Pilates, reading, and spending time with my husband, family, and dogs. I’m not much of a traveler, so I like doing things that don’t take me too far away,” she concedes. “Personally, I want to focus on health, wellness, and maintaining relationships with my loved ones, both family and friends.” Connection and community are clearly top priorities for Chief Mindy Casto. Under her leadership, the City of Fresno’s public safety measures and initiatives are highly promising—she is indeed the head of a force to be reckoned with.

Editorial Director Lauren Barisic
Photographer Ellie Koleen
Hair Melissa Souza
Makeup Matt Garcia