Winter Park police chief granted release on bail after domestic violence arrest
Winter Park Police Department Chief Michael Deal was arrested Wednesday on a domestic violence charge after an argument with family members at his Seminole County home, according to an arrest report.
The report said Seminole deputy sheriffs responded to the Deal family’s home in unincorporated Sanford about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a call about a domestic dispute.
Three members of his family told deputies Deal battered one of them during an argument. While attempting to leave the argument and walk toward the kitchen, he grabbed a family member by the wrist and “slung/pushed [them] out of his way” toward the pantry, the report said.
Deal told deputies his family members started “yelling at” him during an argument and he “wanted to get away from the situation.” As he left, he said he “attempted to get around” the alleged victim but “never laid a hand on” that person, according to the report.
Deal was arrested and booked into the Seminole County jail on a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence battery. During a hearing Thursday afternoon, a judge granted his release on $500 bail.
The police chief wore a yellow jumpsuit during the hearing and didn’t say anything to the judge but nodded as his defense attorney requested his release from jail.
“This man has devoted a lifetime to the law,” Deal’s attorney said.
The judge told Deal he was not getting “special treatment” but allowed his release.
Under the conditions of his release requested by prosecutors, Deal is not allowed to have firearms and is not allowed to contact the victim in a “violent” manner.
The judge said the police chief would be allowed to return home once to get his personal belongings and a recreational vehicle where he plans to live.
“Until more information is available, Chief Deal will be placed on [paid] administrative leave,” Winter Park spokesperson Clarissa Howard said in a statement on Wednesday night. “Division Chief Pam Marcum will be in charge of the department until further notice.”
Deal was hired to lead WPPD in 2016 after previously serving as chief for the Atlantic Beach Police Department in North Florida. He started his career as a patrol officer at the Altamonte Springs Police Department in 1981 and was a deputy chief when he retired from ASPD in 2014.
WPPD has about 75 officers.
Staff writer Jeff Weiner contributed. lgarza@orlandosentinel.com
