Fresno County Board Chairman Defends Action-Themed Promotional Video Using Sheriff’s Equipment
Fresno County Board of Supervisors Chairman Garry Bredefeld is defending a $7,000 promotional video for this year’s State of the County address that shows him emerging from a military vehicle holding a rifle, boarding a helicopter, riding an all-terrain vehicle, and traveling in a Fresno County Sheriff’s boat.
The video, posted by the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, drew immediate criticism online and raised questions about the use of law enforcement resources for what some see as a political production.
“It is a little mission impossible. We wanted to make it entertaining. We did, I think,” Bredefeld said. He described the video as a tribute to law enforcement and defended scenes showing him with firearms: “Absolutely, I love guns, and I also believe people should get CCWs and exercise their Second Amendment right.”
According to those involved, the Chamber of Commerce paid for the entire production through Chamber sponsors rather than taxpayer dollars. Bredefeld said no overtime was used by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said in a statement that personnel and equipment used during filming were already assigned to regular duties or training at the time, and that resources would have been redirected if needed for an emergency call. The agency said the video allowed a county supervisor to gain a better understanding of law enforcement operations while highlighting deputies’ work.
Chamber CEO Scott Miller said the organization regularly produces promotional videos for events but exercises limited control over their content. He stressed the video “was not ever intended to be any type of endorsement of any elected official or any position taken by any elected official or the board of supervisors.”
Miller indicated the public reaction may lead to changes: “I think that we should… should exercise more control going forward.”
Among critics is Fresno State women’s studies professor Dr. Kat Fobear, who questioned the use of sheriff’s equipment: “You could still be Tom Cruise running down the streets of Fresno, and you didn’t need to use a helicopter, a Bearcat. I don’t know about you, but most of us can’t just take joyrides in our Fresno County paid sheriff equipment.”
Bredefeld suggested some criticism is politically motivated: “I think some of these people are not fans of mine, and if it was somebody they liked, they probably wouldn’t have had a problem with it.”
A longer version of the video will be shown during the State of the County event.
The Breakdown
- The Fresno Chamber of Commerce paid $7,000 through Chamber sponsors to produce an action-themed promotional video for the State of the County address featuring Board Chairman Garry Bredefeld
- The video shows Bredefeld using Fresno County Sheriff’s Office equipment including a military vehicle, helicopter, all-terrain vehicle, and boat, as well as handling firearms
- The sheriff’s office said personnel and equipment were already assigned to regular duties or training, and no overtime was used
- The Chamber CEO said the video was not intended as an endorsement of any elected official or political position, and the organization may exercise more control over future productions
What This Means for You
The Board of Supervisors makes decisions about how county resources — including sheriff’s equipment and personnel — are used. This video raises the question of where the line falls between promoting county services and promoting an individual supervisor, even when no direct taxpayer dollars paid for the production itself.
What to Watch
The sheriff’s office said equipment and personnel were “already assigned to regular duties or training” during the filming. The Chamber’s CEO stated the organization may “exercise more control going forward” over promotional video content.
According to Bredefeld, an even longer version of the video will be featured at the State of the County luncheon scheduled for September 24.
