Fresno Fire Department Chief Rob Brown was placed on administrative leave today by City Manager Mark Scott. The move comes hours after Brown was arrested by Fresno County sheriff's deputies after an alleged domestic violence incident at his Fresno home late Wednesday night.
According to the Fresno County Sheriff's Department, Brown was arrested on charges of felony domestic violence and criminal threats. Jail logs indicate that Brown was released from the Fresno County Jail on bond early Thursday morning.
A statement released today by Sheriff's Department spokesperson Chris Curtice provides more information into the events that led to Brown's arrest:
Prior to arriving on scene, responding deputies were advised that Roberts had assaulted other family members, was acting violent, and had been peppered sprayed by another family member. When deputies arrived on scene, they contacted Brown who was standing in the front yard of his residence. Brown was visibly intoxicated and initially uncooperative with deputies. He was eventually handcuffed and detained in the back seat of a patrol vehicle. During the investigation, deputies learned that Brown had apparently assaulted, and threatened to kill family members during a disturbance at the home. Brown was pepper sprayed more than once during the incident as family members attempted to intervene in the assaults.
Brown, who is 50, has served as the city's fire chief since April 2012.
City Manager Mark Scott released a statement today saying that Brown will be on leave pending an investigation. Scott also announced that Deputy Chief Kerri Donis will serve as Acting Chief of the department.
