Police Department

Chief of Police – Michael Giddens

Chief Michael Giddens serves as the Chief of Police for the Town of Howey-in-the-Hills, bringing over 30 years of law enforcement experience at both the local and state levels.

Chief Giddens began his law enforcement career in 1994 with the Lake County Sheriff's Office, where he served in various capacities including Uniform Patrol, Tactical Team, Community Oriented Policing Bicycle Unit, Special Investigations Unit, and as a Task Force Agent on the DEA HIDTA Heroin Task Force.

In 2002, he joined the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), where he held a wide range of supervisory and investigative roles through 2024. These included serving on the Major Drug Investigations Squad, Public Integrity and Economic Crimes units, and Protective Operations. He also served on the Economic Crime and Money Laundering Squad, and as Supervisor for the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). During his tenure, he acted as Field Training Agent, FDLE Event Coordinator for large Central Florida events, and held active FBI Secret Clearance.

Chief Giddens has a specialized background in multi-agency investigations, wiretap operations, economic crime, money laundering, and officer-involved incident investigations. His experience also includes dignitary protection and courtroom testimony at both the state and federal levels.

He joined the Howey-in-the-Hills Police Department in 2024, where he served as Road Patrol Lieutenant and Interim Police Chief prior to assuming his current position.

Chief Giddens’ leadership emphasizes community-oriented policing, investigative excellence, and a commitment to public trust and safety.

MISSION

The mission of the Howey-in-the-Hills Police Department is to provide effective and professional police services of the highest quality, by working cooperatively with the community to continuously provide a safe and secure environment in which to live, work, and visit.

Howey-in-the-Hills Police Department is comprised of the following: 7 full-time officers, 3 School Resource Officers and 3 part time officers.

To contact the Howey-in-the-Hills Police Department:

Emergency 911 or Lake County Sheriff's Office: 352-343-2101, option 4, this will connect you to a dispatcher.

Main Office: 352-324-2030  or Fax: 352-324-0523

Email: howeypolicedeptfl@howey.org or the Chief of Police Michael Giddens at mgiddens@howey.org

HOWEY POLICE DEPARTMENT ADA ACCESS

The Howey Police Department has a Handicapped Accessible entrance facing Palm Avenue to the left (south) of the main entrance.  The Howey Police Department does not have a public access restroom.    Public Access restrooms are located in the Howey Town Hall, adjacent to the Police Department or Marianne Beck Memorial Library, behind the Police Department.  Phone the Howey Police Dept. for additional information: 352-324-2030.