By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
LAKE MARY, Fla. - Winter Park's police chief has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest Wednesday by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office on domestic violence charges.
"We are aware of the arrest of Winter Park Police Chief Michael Deal on alleged domestic violence charges," Clarissa Howard, a Winter Park city spokeswoman said, adding Division Chief Pam Marcum will be in charge of the police department, "for as long as needed."
Deal, Winter Park's top cop since 2016, is being held without bond at the Seminole County Correctional Facility, pending a 2 p.m. first appearance before a judge.
Michael Deal, Winter Park's top cop since 2016, is being held without bond at the Seminole County Correctional Facility, pending a 2 p.m. first appearance before a judge.
“Until more information is available, Chief Deal will be placed on [paid] administrative leave,” Howard said in a prepared statement, reiterating, “Division Chief Pam Marcum will be in charge of the department until further notice.”
The Seminole County Sheriffs Office did not release a press release on the circumstances of the alleged crime against Deal. Headline Surfer has put in a request for a copy of the arrest affidavit with Sheriff Dennis Lemma's PIOs.
About the Byline Writer: Henry Frederick is a member of the working press and publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched in 2008, that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando from Lake Mary, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed close to 150 award-winning bylines in print & online. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University in 2019. He was a breaking news reporter (metro cops & courts beat) for the Daytona Beach News-Journal for nearly a decade. And Before that worked the same beat for The Journal-News/Gannett Suburban Newspapers in Rockland/Westchester counties, NY, dating back to 1989. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and covering other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary shows on Discovery ID, Reelz, and the Oxygen Network series "Snapped" for his analysis. • Award-Winning Journalism: Florida Press Club recognizes Headline Surfer for nine stories in 2020 statewide competition. • Award-Winning Journalism of Henry Frederick.