We are pleased to share that after a national search, Anthony T. Martinez has accepted the position of chief of police and director of public safety. Anthony starts his new role with us today, Monday, July 22.

Chief Martinez is a Fresno State alum having graduated from Fresno State with a bachelor’s and master’s degree. He also recently graduated from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville with a second master’s degree in public safety in 2023.

Chief Martinez has over 33 years of experience as a police officer, starting in Selma and then moving over to the Fresno Police Department in 1996, where he most recently served as a captain since October 2016. He has led three police districts as well as several specialized bureaus including Internal Affairs, Public Information Officer and as a Commander of the Fresno Police Department’s Support Division’s Community Relations Bureau. His advanced police management training includes completing California POST Command College, the Senior Management Institute for Police and the FBI National Academy.

Chief Martinez has managed the Fresno Police Student Resource Officer Unit and received training in school safety as well as training on coordinating safety efforts with allied agencies and school district leadership. He most recently attended UC Merced’s Safety Conference and Fresno County’s Behavioral Threat Assessment training in 2023.

Chief Martinez is a loyal Bulldog fan, having been a football season ticket holder since 2008. A fun fact to share is that his pet bulldog was a finalist for the original Victor E. Bulldog mascot search.

Please join us in welcoming Chief Anthony T. Martinez to the Fresno State family.