From The Files of The Seminole Producer

Problems within the ranks of the Seminole Police Department have been rumored during the past month and further information and figures now indicate that the rumors may have some foundation.

Figures on court records indicate that problems may well exist in the police department and according to the figures, the problems are affecting the public well-being. Arrests in Seminole took a sharp drop during January, a drop of some 70 percent over the same period last year.

Sources have indicated that a squabble in the police department has contributed to the decline of arrests in the city.

Police Chief Kenneth Higdon denied such rumors earlier (Jan. 11 issue of The Producer) but decline of arrests and further information from within the department coupled with resignation of one officer and the report that four others have applied for other jobs indicates that some problems do exist.

In January of 1972 a total of 283 tickets were issued by city police, according to records in the court clerk’s office. January 1973 shows only 89 tickets were issued. This is a difference of 194 tickets, or a drop of 70 percent.

“This is the smallest number of arrests we’ve had here in a long time,” a court official said Wednesday. “Something must be wrong. We’ve not been busy at all this month.”

Interviews by The Producer with various patrolmen and officers in the police department reveal that a struggle in the department is apparently underway. “I don’t believe the patrolmen have really taken sides in this thing,” one policeman said. “But the officers, assistant chief and chief are politicking.

“There is no harmony in the department. Most of the patrolmen are taking wait-and-see positions. They don’t know if they will have a job tomorrow or who will be in charge.”

Four members of the department told newsmen they have applied for other jobs. “Unless something is done about the present atmosphere at the police station then I plan to submit my resignation and go elsewhere,” one policeman said.

Most of those interviewed were critical of the present police administration. “Chief Higdon and Assistant Chief Bill Sparks don’t get along at all and they have split the department,” one patrolman said.

Two policemen said that in their opinion “a complete change of the present administration was the only possible answer to the police problem.”

Chief Higdon denied that there is any problem in the police department again Wednesday afternoon. He told newsmen “We are not like other businesses. If things are quiet down here (low arrest rate) we feel we are doing a good job.

“It’s when we make a lot of arrests that we feel we are not up to par because people are breaking the law.”

When asked if he could answer why there was a 70 percent difference in the number of arrests in January as compared to a year ago he replied, “The people are more educated now in this city.

“They know that if they break the law they will be arrested.”

In December, arrests totaled 195, slightly down from the same month a year ago of 241 tickets.

Higdon went on to say that there were some officers who probably did not like the way their fellow officers comb their hair or the like, “but when it comes to enforcing the law there is harmony here.

“I’m sure my lieutenants and the assistant chief don’t love each other as much as they do their wives, but that’s normal.”

Chief Higdon had “no comment” to make concerning a rumor that he had offered to submit his resignation.

“As long as I am police chief here we are going to enforce all ordinances,” Higdon said. “This has always been my rule and will continue to be my rule.”

Higdon said that he would call a meeting of his men soon. He admitted that he had noticed a decline in arrests, but again contributed this to the people’s education concerning the arrest policy of the Seminole Police Department.

Mayor Waldo Lilly said Wednesday of the police department problem, “I don’t feel I could comment at this time. The department has problems of course, all departments have problems.” On the sharp decline of arrests, the mayor stated that he had received some information to that effect and noted that he was going to investigate further into the matter.