Police Chief Resigns Following Investigation into Alleged Affair

Michael Giddens, the former police chief of Howie-in-the-Hills, Florida, resigned in June 2026 after being placed on administrative leave in May due to allegations of having an affair with the wife of a suspect he was investigating. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Lake County Sheriff's Office conducted investigations into the allegations, which concluded that while Giddens did not commit any crimes, he violated police department policies regarding improper conduct and moral character. The affair reportedly began in March 2025, when Giddens reached out to the suspect's wife to facilitate communication with her husband. Their relationship reportedly became physical, with meetings occurring at hotels while Giddens was on duty. Giddens was promoted to chief of police in October 2025, prior to the allegations surfacing. Following an anonymous complaint in May 2026, Giddens submitted his resignation, stating he would not allow his personal life to distract from the agency's work.